The Black Sheep Wine Shop is located by the ocean in beautiful Harpswell, Maine.  Harpswell consists of  a ten mile long peninsula and three larger islands  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 artists from around the world.

The town of  Harpswell  includes Orr's and BaileyIslands, Harpswell Neck penninsula (originally " Merriconeag ",  a native american word for " 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 and alot of history as well. Classic New England architecture and many fine former sea captains homes which are preserved and now offer lodging to tourists as inns. 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 . Contact the Harpswell Business Association for more information : www.harpswellmaine.org

Places of interest  in Harpswell include the one and only Historic Landmark, Bailey Island Cribstone Bridge and picturesque Mackerel Cove , 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 and just offshore Arctic explorer Admiral  Peary's Eagle Island home 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.

There are many Bed and Breakfasts and scenic hotels as well as some mighty fine restaurants to explore and no place finer for your wedding or get-together.   Harpswell has the most coastline of any Maine town, about 200 miles, and lures artists 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 at an all time low right now ( 2008) so call and order them shipped direct from Harpswell.  See the list of dealers at the Harpswell Business Association website: www.harpswellmaine.org.

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.  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, 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 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   The Harpswell Inn  -   A Beautiful Historic Bed and Breakfast by the sea , including a large, new conference room :   http://www.harpswellinn.com/  telephone our friends Dick and Anne at  207-833 5509  or toll free 800- 843 5509.   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.   Cook's Lobster House is open all year and serves up traditional seafood meals from a very scenic, oceanside location. NEW-Chef David is attracting rave reviews with his delicious upscale inventive cuisine for their  winter/ spring wine dinner events !!- Garrison Cove, Bailey Island,  207-833-2818   Michelle Hennings  handmade Porcelain jewelry evokes the ocean and is lovely. You'll want to buy some for all your friends. On Harpswell Neck Penninsula,Open by appointment  or chance Tel 207-833-5556. website:  www.henningporcelain.com .   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 are beautiful and practical. Tom will custom design for you as well. His business is The Village Shop. Call him at 207-833-7779.   The Common Table is a  charming Bed and Breakfast/ Event center with 3 guest rooms and providing a special meeting place and meals for 8 to 20 people on Harpswell Neck penninsula. Pre Fixe meals most weekends throughout the year.Call our friend  Deb  at 207-833-5564. www.commontable.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   Captains Watch Bed and breakfast and Sail Charter, Gracious Civil war era home overlooking a working harbor. Unpretensious and relaxing, Ken and Linda also own The Symbion, a 38 ft. sloop which they run as  a sail charter. 207-725-0979.    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   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.   Lands End Gifts and Photography , a 7000 foot gift store at the end of  Bailey Island , Look for great photographs here.Tel. 207-833-2313. www.gwi.net/~cwatch

About  nearby Brunswick :   Bowdoin College and the summer Maine State Music Theatre ,also 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.   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 Historical Society  http://www.mainemuseums.org/htm/museumdetail.php3?orgID=79

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, 210 Maine St. (207) 721-0403   Renaissance Bistro-Tasty European style,25 Mill Street (207) 721-0412 www.renaissance-bistro.com   Back Street Bistro-Delectable Eclectic , 11 Town Hall Place, (207) 725-4060   Bacari-Small plates Upscale Bistro, 212 Maine st., (207) 725-2600       111 Maine, Fantastic breakfasts  www.111maine.com

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 :  The Harpswell , Maine Town Office, www.harpswell.maine.gov The Harpswell , Maine Business Organization,  www.harpswellmaine.org 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.