Hidden Spring Winery, owned and operated by Aroostook County locals Richard Sloat and Veronica Jean Sloat, won honors for Maine in the 2026 Big E Gold Medal Wine Competition.
The showing was part of the Eastern States Exposition, held from Sept. 18 to Oct. 24 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
The local winery earned three prestigious awards this year, including Best of Maine for its Honeyberry wine, a Silver Medal for Honeyberry, and a Bronze Medal for Rockin’ Rhuby wine.
(Courtesy of Melissa S. Razdrih / The Maine Monitor)
The Big E Gold Medal Wine Competition brings together wines from across New England and New York, where entries are blind judged by a panel of wine industry experts. Earning recognition at the competition places Hidden Spring Winery among standout wine producers from across the Northeast.
For Hidden Spring Winery, winning is becoming a tradition. Since first entering the competition in 2017, the venture has earned an impressive 11 awards.
Over the years, several of the winery’s flavors have been showcased and recognized, earning Best of Maine honors along with multiple Silver and Bronze medals.
The Best of Maine honor makes their success especially exciting, recognizing Hidden Spring Winery and its Honeyberry wine as a standout from the Pine Tree State.
From locally crafted wines to recognition on a major New England stage, Hidden Spring Winery continues to prove that something special is being bottled right in East Hodgdon.
