The Black Sheep Wine Shop is located by the ocean in beautiful Harpswell, Maine. Harpswell consists of a ten mile long peninsula and three large islands ( Orrs, Bailey and Sebascodegan or Great Island)which are all connected by a series of bridges and some 200 smaller islands dotting the ocean nearby. Harpswell is within Casco Bay on the coast in southern Maine.  Photogenic and relaxing, it's natural beauty lures visitors from around the world.

The town of  Harpswell  includes Orr's and Bailey Islands, Harpswell Neck penninsula (originally " Merriconeag ",  a native american word  referring to the portage place , " quick carrying place "), Great Sebascodegan Island ,Cundy's Harbor , Eagle Island  and numerous small islands just off shore; the Maine coast at its best!! This is the authentic Maine, with lobstering and fishing the main source of livlihood still for many, so you'll find the freshest seafood  as well as our own local culture and history as well. Classic New England architecture and many fine former sea captains homes and small summer cottages which now offer lodging to tourists . Annual Hometown  events and festivals include : The Lobsterboat races,  The Harpswell Festival , Fourth of July Fireworks, Cundy's Harbor Days, The Bailey Island Fishing Tournament, and  mouthwatering  fundraising meals such as native blueberry pancake breakfasts, strawberry shortcake and  maine lobster roll luncheons ,  homemade new england clam chowder , steamed  Maine lobster , corn on the cob and blueberry cake or bean hole baked bean suppers . Pick up a free Annual Harpswell Visitor Guide and Map at The Black Sheep Wine Shop, 105 Mountain Rd., Harpswell, Maine 04079. We are the official Harpswell Visitor Center with more information and brochures available to help you find your way around Harpswell and what events to look for.

Places of interest  in Harpswell include the one and only Historic Landmark, Bailey Island Cribstone Bridge and picturesque Mackerel Cove , the natural geologic formation known as The Giant Staircase , the true to life Lobsterman Statue ( made for the 1939 World's Fair exhibition), the historical  little Bailey Island Library Hall, the Beautiful Elijah Kellogg Church and Old Town Meeting House ( circa 1757) on Harpswell Neck peninsula, the reversing falls on Basin Cove   and just offshore Arctic explorer Admiral  Peary's Eagle Island home ( a State Park),  and the dramatic maritime landmark Halfway Rock Lighthouse.   Notable residents have included writer Harriet Beecher Stowe ( Uncle Tom's Cabin), poet Robert Peter Tristram Coffin, poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, Arctic Explorer Robert Peary, Senator Margaret Chase Smith, comedian Bob Elliott ( one half of the  classic comedy duo of Bob and Ray), and actor Patrick Dempsey.

Harpswell has the most coastline of any Maine town, about 200 miles, and lures daytrippers from the surrounding towns as well as  vacationers from around the world.    Enjoy Sea Kayaking , hiking trails ,bicycling, birdwatching, sailboating, fishing, charter cruises,or just kick back and enjoy Harpswell's captivating unspoiled beauty! Photography is a sport around here!    It's well known that the best tasting lobster is pulled fresh from the clean, cold Atlantic ocean, Maine lobsters of course, and you can eat them every day if you want! The price is reasonable so call and order them shipped direct from Harpswell. Fresh clams,mussels, shrimp, scallops, crabs, oysters, sea urchins and a variety of fish are also available throughout the season.

Take a day trip or weekend getaway; Harpswell is only 2 or 3 hours drive north from Boston.    Portland is the closest Maine city  with an international airport and  Amtrak  passenger trains.  Soon the Amtrak will be coming to nearby Brunswick, so visiting harpswell will be even easier. If you want to rent a car and drive to Harpswell , it is about a 40 minute drive north from Portland.   If you are coming from north of Harpswell,  in Maine, Bangor has an airport and is a little over 3  hours drive away. Brunswick is the closest town to Harpswell  with many shops and restaurants . Bath , Freeport and Topsham are  very close as well.  To reach Harpswell from the highway, look for the Brunswick exit .

A few fine things about  Harpswell: Eagle Island  -   Peary's Home, a State Park: website : http://www.pearyeagleisland.org/default.htm   Homes and Harbors Coastal Real Estate  offers the best waterfront properties and rentals here in harpswell and the Midcoast region. www.homesandharbors.com  The Vegetable Corner is Harpswell's one stop farmer's market , local bakery, butchershop and grocery. The best of everything and friendly service, located at the corner of Mountain Rd. , 509 Harpswell Rd., 207-729-2719 open year round.   The Dolphin Chowder House is a delightful restaurant right on the ocean with spectacular views and fresh, well made food- chowder is their specialty . It's located at a marina so come by boat! Basin Point, South Harpswell 207-833-6000  Open May 1 for the season   Tom Conways handmade baskets "The Village Shop" are beautiful and practical. Tom will custom design for you as well. His business is The Village Shop. Call him at 207-833-7779.   Murray and Karen Washburn's" Seabreeze Cottage" Bed and Breakfast right on the ocean on Bailey Island. Built in 2002,designed in a classic 1880's style,two bedrooms, sleeps six people. See photos  and availability on their listing on www.homeaway.com, vacation rental  #229351.   Two Coves Farm raises natural beef, lamb,turkey, chicken and eggs on a saltwater farm on Harpswell neck. They sell some products right at the farm, 90 Neils Point Rd. Harpswell, as well as CSA packages Call (207) 373-0399 / (207) 400-7999 .  http://www.twocovesfarm.com .   Bellevue By The Sea  Bed and Breakfast  is a turn of the century cottage with spectacular ocean views . Open  seasonally. call our friends Roy and Mary: summer 207-833-6324, winter 207-784-5691.   The Log Cabin Island Inn, inviting with spectacular views of the ocean, full breakfasts, 9 rooms with private baths.  Open April to October.207-833-5546. www.logcabin-maine.com   Rob Smith, Fine Art  Photography , offers masterful images of nature with an eye for the unique and artistic. 207-729-6138. www.rgsmithphoto.com.      284 Bethel Point Rd.,Harpswell, ME    Bailey Island Motel , a magical spot as close to the ocean as you can get.  Nice rooms,Friendly people and right next door to the famous cribstone bridge and cedar beach.. Te. 207-833-2886.   Quahog Bay Inn: Seaside rentals of one and two bedroom suites overlooking a  beautiful working harbor, attractive space with kitchen, private bath, canoe or kayak available. Very nice people! call 207-725-9995. www.quahogbayinn.com   Mojo Cafe, is open seasonally, offering an eclectic menu for breakfast, soup,sandwich,pizza, dinner. 406 Harpswell Neck Rd.  Call 1 406 2155.    The Wheelhouse Cafe , get baked goods, panninis, salad, espresso, etc. 419 Harpswell Island Rd., (207) 725-0899    Capt. Lawrence E. Johnson House, on Bailey Island is truly a gem. A luxery rental with top notch furnishings, modern amenities and stylish, 4 bedrooms - 207-854-2211, www.maineislandgetaway.com.

About  nearby Brunswick :   Brunswick is a charming college town, home to Bowdoin College and the summer Maine State Music Theatre  and the Bowdoin summer classical Music program.  Maine's Civil War Hero ,Governor of Maine and Bowdoin College President, the fascinating  General Joshua Chamberlain's  home and Museum and the  Pejepscot Historical Museum in Brunswick attract many history enthusiasts. Plenty of unique shops and restaurants downtown, antiques as well as a farmers market or mall shopping at Cooks Corner. Bowdoin College also is home to a nice Art Museum and the Peary- McMillan Arctic Museum. We are lucky to have The Eveningstar Cinema 149 Maine Street in Brunswick( in the Tontine Mall ). They are essential to movielovers as it is one of the few places in the State where you can see first rate independent films.207-729 6796 ;  www.eveningstarcinema.com    The  Pejepscot Historical Society  http://www.mainemuseums.org/htm/museumdetail.php3?orgID=79   The Maine State Music Theater : A Professional Musical Theater   msmt.org

Some fine restaurants we recommend in Brunswick: The Great Impasta- Awesome Italian ,  Mon-Sat, 42 Maine St. , ( 207) 729-5858  www.thegreatimpasta.com    Richard's -Excellent German Fare, 115 Maine St., (207) 729-9673  www.richardsgermanamericancuisine.com  El Camino-Amazing California- Mexican , Organic,15 Cushing St., (207)725-8228 Scarlet Begonia's -Great Pizza, pasta, soup, sandwich, Maine St. Station (207) 721-0403  Back Street Bistro-Delectable Eclectic , 11 Town Hall Place, (207) 725-4060    Flipside Pizza, Maine Street, Brunswick  Athena Trattoria, Mill Street, Brunswick  Big Top Deli, Maine Street , Brunswick Gelato Fiasco, Maine Street, Brunswick Bohemian Coffeehouse, Just off Maine Street, Brunswick Little Dog Coffee, maine St. Frontier Cafe, Fort Andross Lily Bistro, Maine street, Brunswick Solo Bistro, Bath Beal Street BBQ, Bath Mae's Cafe, Bath

About nearby Bath:   Bath is the home of the Maine Maritime Museum, Internationally renowned Bath Ironworks Shipbuilding and the Chocolate Church for  performing arts.    Don't miss the spectacular fountain sculpture in the  library park by William Zorach!   If you are yearning for long stretches of sandy beaches, travel to Popham or Reid State Parks, about 30 minutes from downtown Bath.

Some useful links : Holbrook'sCommunity Foundation, for preservation of Cundy's Harbor's working waterfront.  Updated Maine weather and local tide charts, www.maineboats.com  The Official  Maine Fall Foliage Website, up to the minute reports of the progression , statewide , our Fall Colors,   www.mainefoliage.com  All about  Maine Lobstering ,  Lobsterboats , Lobsters and How to eat a  Maine lobster : http://www.gma.org/lobsters/index.html The photogragh to the right is of the rare  blue lobster, found in the waters off Harpswell , Maine.   Visit The Black Sheep Wine Shop on Facebook by clicking the link below for the latest news on interesting wines, cool new beers, recipes, wine tastings and hot deals! The Black Sheep Wine Shop Promote Your Page Too