LINCOLNVILLE, Maine – Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville is proud to announce the release of three new wines from their cellars for this season. Winemakers Aaron Peet and Brian Smith have been hard at work throughout the winter and spring preparing the wines for release, and their efforts have resulted in what’s being hailed as the finest product the Winery has ever produced.

•    Artist Series Petite Sirah:

A limited edition wine, the Artist Series Petite Sirah is made up of 85% Petite Sirah (from Lodi, CA) and 15% Viognier (from Snipes Mountain, WA). Aged in 15% new oak, the wine is full-bodied with ripe, rich berry aromas, and a beautiful elegance resulting from the Viognier grapes.

Only 60 cases of this wine were produced for special release at Cellardoor’s Pop the Cork 2 summer gala celebration in Rockport, ME on June 18, 2009. Maine artist Linden Frederick offered a reproduction of his painting Halloween for the label, and the artist himself led the unveiling of the wine at the event. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sales of the wine benefit Rockport’s Center for Maine Contemporary Art.

Only a few cases of the wine remain, and are available for sampling and purchase only at Cellardoor’s Vineyard and at the Villa.

•    Prince Valiant:

A five-grape blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (all from Eastern Washington state), Petite Sirah (Lodi, CA) and Viognier (Snipes Mountain, WA), the Prince Valiant has intense aromas of ripe black cherries and white pepper with undertones of coffee and caramel. The versatile wine pairs beautifully with grilled BBQ chicken or a big juicy steak.

•    Viognier:

Our elegant and complex Viognier will be unveiled this August. Made from 100% Viognier grapes from Snipes Mountain, WA, the wine is aged in only 10% new oak, and is a full-bodied, dry white wine with intense aromas of stone fruits. This one has been worth waiting for, and will be the Winery’s most prized white wine to date.

“Winemaking, like fine cooking, requires a special blend of artistry, chemistry, and passion,” noted Bettina Doulton, Cellardoor proprietor. “But unlike cooking, fine wines can take many months to several years to be ready for the table. They take careful, consistent monitoring and adjustment to bring them to their full potential. We enjoy this painstaking process at Cellardoor, and the rewards that come from it – and are consistently improving our process and continuously putting out new and better product.”

Cellardoor winemakers Aaron Peet and Brian Smith bring strong winery backgrounds to Cellardoor. Both have received professional training in Washington and California states respectively and have worked at noted West Coast wineries. Peet is a graduate of the Center for Enology and Viticulture in Washington, and Smith is a graduate of California State University at Fresno with a degree in Enology and Viticulture.

The new 2009 wines, in addition to Cellardoor’s long list of legacy wines, are available for sampling and purchase at the two Cellardoor tasting rooms – the Vineyard at 367 Youngtown Road in Lincolnville and the Villa at 47 West Street in Rockport. The Prince Valiant and the Viognier are also available for purchase online at www.vinoshipper.com.



About Cellardoor Winery:

Located in the beautiful Camden/Rockport region of midcoast Maine, Cellardoor Winery’s vineyard gift shop, tasting bar, loft seating area, test kitchen and deck are part of a carefully restored 1790’s barn and overlook the vineyard and rolling hills beyond.



The vineyard is located on a south-facing slope of a valley and enjoys a unique microclimate, protected from Maine’s harsh winter weather. Operating on 68 acres, the Winery offers 14  wines, available on site, at select area retailers, and online at www.vinoshipper.com.



Cellardoor also hosts regular wine and food pairing events, cooking classes with area chefs, winemaking classes, and an October Wine Camp for adults in addition to several annual celebration and community events.



The Cellardoor Vineyard at 367 Youngtown Road in Lincolnville, ME (207-763-4478) is open 10-5 daily May-Oct. The Cellardoor Villa retail shop at 47 West Street in Rockport, ME (207-236-2654) is open 11-6 daily May-Dec. (Fri.-Sun. in the winter). To discover more visit www.mainewine.com.