Our Roots
Our roots run deep, not only in the land of Maine, but in the food systems, culture, and economy.
West Maquoit Vinegar Works combines ancient traditions with modern technology. It is a practice of patience, a work of art and science. The foundation of all our vinegars is Maine, taking inspiration from what surrounds us and grounds us.
West Maquoit Vinegar Works grew out of more than twenty years spent working as a chef, along with a longtime love of home brewing and winemaking. One inspirational vinegar moment was a happy accident. A batch of homemade pear wine had gone sour, and it was delicious. What could have been a failed batch instead became an unexpected success. That flavor helped open the door to exploring vinegar as something more than a basic kitchen ingredient.
West Maquoit Vinegar Works combines ancient traditions with modern technology. It is a practice of patience, a work of art and science. The foundation of all our vinegars is Maine, taking inspiration from what surrounds us and grounds us.
West Maquoit Vinegar Works grew out of more than twenty years spent working as a chef, along with a longtime love of home brewing and winemaking. One inspirational vinegar moment was a happy accident. A batch of homemade pear wine had gone sour, and it was delicious. What could have been a failed batch instead became an unexpected success. That flavor helped open the door to exploring vinegar as something more than a basic kitchen ingredient.
“If I put good things into it, I find good things come out of it.”
Allagash Brewing, Portland - One of our original collaborators and a longtime inspiration in Maine brewing. We use beer from Allagash Brewing Company to make both our Maine Ale and Black Beer Vinegars.
Black Pug Brewing, Brunswick - Former neighbors at our original Brunswick Landing location, Black Pug Brewing became collaborators and a source of plenty of inspiration with their creative, and sometimes controversial, beers. Their beers helped inspire and create Smoke & Fire, Chicory Stout, Mushroom Ale Vinegar, and several other West Maquoit experiments.
Blue Ox Malt House - Using traditional floor-malting methods, they turn Maine-grown grain into malt while helping connect local farmers with Maine’s brewing community. Their malt has been part of our brewing from the beginning and provides the foundation for all of our malt-based vinegars.
Brodis Blueberries, Hope - Our source for Maine wild lowbush blueberries and a longtime collaborator. Brodis Blueberries in Hope, Maine provides the fruit we use to make our Wild Blueberry Vinegar, bringing one of Maine’s most iconic flavors into one of our signature vinegars.
Dharma Farm, Washington - Fellow vendors at both the Bath and Boothbay Farmers' Markets, Dharma Farm grows organic vegetables and herbs on their small farm in Washington, Maine. Their hot peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables have found their way into a number of our vinegars and experiments.
Fairwinds Farm, Bowdoinham -I spent some time working at Fairwinds Farm long before they became a source for our tomatoes, raspberries, and strawberries. Wandering their pick-your-own fields for fruit has always felt a little like foraging for ingredients and inspiration.
Goranson Farm, Dresden - Frequent farmers market neighbors, Goranson Farm is a longtime certified organic family farm. They've supplied us with tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, peppers, strawberries, and plenty of inspiration over the years, with their produce finding its way into a wide range of our seasonal and experimental vinegars.
Olde Haven Farm, Chelsea - A family farm producing a wide range of Maine-grown and farm-made foods, they turn the relationship around by using our vinegar as an ingredient in their own products, including pickled onions and pickled eggs.
Some of our Farm and Brewery Collaborators
Pen & Cob Farm, Pembroke - Farmed and foraged in Downeast Maine, Pen & Cob Farm makes their distinctive spruce syrup from one of Maine’s most familiar evergreens. We use their spruce syrup as an ingredient in our seasonal Spruce Beer Vinegar.
Replenova Farm, Durham - Replenova Farm is a diversified farm in Durham, growing a wide range of produce along with less expected Maine crops like ginger and turmeric. Their fresh turmeric and ginger have found their way into several of our vinegars, including our Apple Cider Turmeric Vinegar.
Sawyer’s Maple Farm, Jackman - Sawyer’s Maple Farm produces pure Maine maple syrup from the forests of northern Maine. Their maple syrup is fermented from the very beginning to create our Maple Vinegar, carrying the character of real Maine maple through to the finished vinegar.
Sparrow Farm, Pittston - Sparrow Farm grows organic cranberries along with a variety of other crops. Their Maine-grown cranberries have been a key ingredient in our Cranberry Vinegar and a great local source for one of Maine’s classic fruits.
Stonecipher Farm, Bowdoinham -Stonecipher Farm is an organic vegetable farm growing a remarkably diverse range of produce. Their Maine-grown ginger and turmeric have provided ingredients and inspiration for several of our seasonal and experimental vinegars.