Welcome to Blacksmiths Winery

Elderberry

Elderberries are reputed to be the one fruit other than red wine grapes that can produce a Bordeaux style wine.

We treat the Elderberry just as we would a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. That is, we ferment the elderberries on the skin and then press off the juice into small French oak barrels. The wine is aged for 18 months.

Blacksmiths Elderberry is a dry red wine with a floral nose and pronounced peppery flavor. Most of the elderberries we use are wild Maine elderberries that we pick. Every September we drive through the Maine countryside and stop wherever we see ripe elderberries on the roadside.

In 2006 we are converting our small vineyard from Vidal Blanc grapes to Elderberries. While we had marginal success with the Vidal Blanc, we hope to greatly increase our production of Elderberry wines by growing our own fruit.

In 2006 we also secured a contract on 1/2 acre of commercially grown Maine Elderberries.

This is a very limited production wine. Each year we produce fewer than 25 cases, which is available only here at the winery in South Casco. E-mail us if you are interested in this wine. $18.00.