Business Details
26 Years
experience
Organic Winery in Franklin, ME | Shalom Orchard
Established in 2000, Shalom Orchard pioneered as the first organic winery on the East Coast, dedicated to crafting fruit and honey wines using 100% organic practices. Our founders, Jim Baranski and Charlotte Young, combine decades of agricultural expertise with a commitment to sustainable farming, producing wines that reflect the integrity of Maine's natural resources. Located on a historic 1800s homestead in Franklin, Maine, our winery offers panoramic views and a hands-on experience where every bottle is made from seed to seal on-site. We specialize in blueberry wine, honey mead, pear wine, and apple wine, all certified organic by MOFGA under NOP standards without the use of sulfites or synthetic chemicals.Our tasting room provides visitors a chance to engage with our history, sample our award-winning wines, and explore the philosophy of 'Peace with Nature' that guides our work. With over two decades of experience, we prioritize transparency, quality, and environmental stewardship, ensuring each visitor gains insight into organic viticulture and the unique terroir of Maine. Fern and Oliver, our canine ambassadors, add warmth to the experience, embodying the welcoming spirit of our farm. Whether through personalized guided tours or seasonal tastings, we strive to create memorable connections between people, place, and the art of organic winemaking.
Services
Wine Tastings
Guided Tours
Organic Winemaking
Wine Sales
Event Hosting
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We pioneered organic winemaking on the East Coast since 2000.
- Our wines are certified organic by MOFGA under NOP standards.
- Founders personally lead tours and tastings with decades of expertise.
- All wines are handcrafted on-site from seed to sealed bottle.
- Scenic 1800s homestead offers immersive, educational visitor experiences.
Associations and certifications
- MOFGA
- NOP
Services
Blueberry Wine
Our blueberry wine undergoes long cold fermentation to preserve smoky, complex flavors. Comparable to a dry full-bodied red wine, it pairs exceptionally with meat and bean dishes. Grown organically on-site or sourced locally, each bottle reflects Maine's terroir. Certified by MOFGA, our process avoids sulfites, ensuring purity and healthful antioxidants.
Honey Mead
Crafted from raw honey, our honey mead balances light sweetness with charming floral notes. Aged to perfection, it excels as an aperitif or dessert pairing. Organic certification guarantees no synthetic additives, while small-batch production ensures quality. Ideal for sipping or complementing light desserts.
Guided Tours
Led by founders Jim and Charlotte, guided tours explore organic farming practices, historic homestead architecture, and winemaking processes. Visitors learn about sustainable viticulture, sample estate-grown wines, and enjoy panoramic views of Maine's countryside. Tours emphasize education, transparency, and the 'Peace with Nature' philosophy.
Wine Tastings
Our tasting room offers curated experiences with organic fruit wines, including seasonal releases. Guests sample blueberry wine, honey mead, pear wine, and apple cyser while learning about flavor profiles and pairings. Open May-October with winter appointments, tastings emphasize personal interaction and artisanal craftsmanship.
Organic Winemaking
From orchard to bottle, we adhere to certified organic practices without sulfites or chemicals. Our methods prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and minimal intervention. Each wine batch is handcrafted in small quantities, ensuring quality and authenticity. This commitment extends to packaging, using recyclable materials and eco-friendly processes.
People
Jim Baranski
Co-Founder & Winemaker
Jim manages orchard operations and winemaking, overseeing every step from harvest to bottling. With decades of experience in organic agriculture, he ensures rigorous adherence to sustainable practices while maintaining the wines' authentic flavors.
Charlotte Young
Co-Founder & Farm Manager
Charlotte directs farm planning and organizational operations, blending agricultural expertise with hospitality. Her leadership ensures seamless integration of organic viticulture, visitor experiences, and the winery's 'Peace with Nature' ethos.
Questions
What makes Shalom Orchard's wines unique?
Our wines are 100% organic, certified by MOFGA without sulfites or synthetic chemicals. Grown locally and handcrafted on-site, they emphasize flavor integrity and environmental stewardship.
Can I visit the winery year-round?
Our tasting room is open May-October, Tuesday-Sunday, 12-5 PM. November-April visits require appointments for personalized tastings and tours.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, founders Jim and Charlotte lead educational tours exploring organic practices, historic homestead details, and the winemaking process from seed to bottle.
Do you offer wine tastings?
Yes, our tasting room features curated samplings of blueberry wine, honey mead, pear wine, and seasonal releases, with expert guidance on flavor profiles and pairings.
Is Shalom Orchard accessible for events?
We host private events in our scenic homestead setting, combining organic wine experiences with Maine's natural beauty. Contact us for details on reservations and seasonal availability.
Reviews (7)
Sarah Spaulding
Aug 22, 2021
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Very nice, small winery and the only one offering certified organic wines on the east coast! It is a very small business run out of the couples home, but you can tell that they put a lot of time and effort into their wines. The man (I unfortunately forget his name) was very kind and gave me a very informative tasting.
Nathan Sen
Aug 03, 2021
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I hate to do this, bc this place has potential...but currently, it is....nothing? just some guy's basement, where he stands over you while you taste 2 wines, and then asks if you want to buy more...the wine itself was pretty good, but the setting was......uncomfortable to say the least. IMO this place should close and re-do/reevaluate bc it can be awesome.
Holly Jo
Jul 01, 2021
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Wine was good. We had to stay outside and the yard was very overgrown with trash all over the place. Did not seem sanitary.
Eryk Collings
Dec 02, 2020
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Charlotte is a wonderful host. The pear wine is fabulous. Their prices for lamb are excellent. Do yourself a favor and make the trip.
Melinda C.
Oct 16, 2020
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Our visit to Shalom was delightful. Charlotte & Jim's quaint Winery is a hidden gem! We chatted with Charlotte while we tried their wines learning about their history and operation. It was a great way to spend the afternoon! We purchased a number of lamb cuts and a few bottles of wine to take home. Definitely take the time to stop by and enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
Michelle Stewart
Oct 01, 2020
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Their Lamb is phenomenal. Best I've ever had, better than any store bought lamb ever. Also their wines are excellent. I would definitely recommend!!
Julien Vehent
Dec 30, 2019
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We stayed at Charlotte and Jim's for a night via harvesthost while traveling north, and had a fantastic tasting of Jim's creations. Organic mead, pear, apple and even kiwi wines that taste like what alcohol use to taste like before the liquor industry took over, served over friendly conversation in their beautiful farmhouse. Their winery tries to extract the true flavor of fruits into wines, and while it will certainly throw off the unprepared visitor, take it like a travel back to simpler, more honest, times and you'll get a sense of what your taste buds were like, long before sulfites, sugar
