Wineries across the state will be hosting tastings, tours, and special events to celebrate Maine Open Winery Day, Saturday, Sept. 16. It’s an opportunity for Maine’s winemakers to showcase their wineries and for customers to learn more about making wine from traditional and not-so-traditional products.

Starting with a single winery in 1983 making blueberry wine, Maine winemakers are now using grapes, native fruits, and even maple syrup to produce wines that are garnering regional, national and even international awards. Each winery has special products, great stories, and a lot to share with the public about what makes their products special whether it’s wine, mead, cider, or spirits.

Locally, The Fat Friar’s Meadery in Newcastle is the closest Open Winery Day participant. From noon to 5 p.m. the Friar will be offering food pairings to accompany the five different styles of mead produced. Guests will be entertained by Lincoln Academy’s 5 O’Clock jazz combo beginning around 1 p.m. The meadery is located at 39 Meadow Ridge Lane. 207-563-5382.

Two wineries in Union are also on the Open Winery Day trail map: Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery located at 175 Barrett Hill Road and Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery at 347 Carroll Road.

For a complete list of participating wineries, visit www.mainewineryguild.com.