Today is the first day of September and the unofficial start of the apple season. Fall is the perfect time to plan a Maine road-trip. See the guides below to find great orchards and heirloom apple varieties, Maine’s cider tasting rooms, apple events, and other pomological resources to help you enjoy all that the season has to offer. While you’re on the road you can also visit some of the great restaurants located all across the state.
The Maine Heirloom Apple Guide is a co-production with the intrepid apple expert Sean Turley at The Righteous Russet (instagram). It provides all the information you need for a self-directed exploration of Maine orchards and the many heirloom apples they offer. Use it throughout the fall to go exploring so you can take advantage of the entire season.
The Guide to Maine Cider is a directory to 25 Maine cider producers. They’re located all over the state from Kingfield to Cornish and Portland to Hancock. Stop by cidery tasting rooms like Absolem in Winthrop, Bon Vent in Hancock, or at one of the retail shops highlighted in the guide to experience the taste of autumn in a glass.
Other Resources and Events:
- Anoche – A cider bar located at 43 Washington Ave in Portland.
- Out on a Limb – An heirloom apple CSA for consumers, and a wholesale source of apples for restaurants and bakeries. Contact them at info@outonalimbcsa.com to sign-up or for more information.
- Maine Apple Sunday is taking place on September 13th all throughout the state. Check the event page for a list of all participating orchards.
- Absolem Cider in Winthrop is holding the 5th Annual Bembel Fest on September 12th to celebrate “the cider culture and traditions of Frankfurt, Germany”. They’ll be serving several German-style ciders of their own as well as ciders from Germany.
- The 7th Annual Apple Tasting at McDougal Orchards will be taking place on October 24th in Springvale.
- Great Maine Apple Day is taking place October 25th, noon – 4 pm, in Unity.
- Maine Pomological Society – is the professional organization for Maine apple orchards. Their website has a directory of 50 apple orchards in 13 counties.
- Maine Heritage Orchard is a 10-acre orchard run by MOFGA in Unity that is home to more than “360 varieties of apples and pears traditionally grown in Maine”.
- For more information on Maine cider and cider makers see these articles in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Down East and Press Herald, from the Maine Farmland Trust.