HAVERHILL — For the first time, Haverhill will raise a glass to natural wine in a weekend celebration of sustainable agriculture, fermentation, and East Coast craftsmanship.
The city’s inaugural natural wine fair, MASSeration, takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, at the historic Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Road. It’s a celebration of sustainable agriculture among the best wines and ciders the East Coast has to offer.
Whittier Birthplace has been set as the future vineyard site of Marzae Wine, the event’s host. The plan is to plant the vineyard at Whittier Birthplace next spring.
Acton is the home base for Marzae Wine, the state’s first and only natural winery, founded by husband and wife Eliot Martin and Kate Luczai in 2023. Their vision is to build a community around the production of natural wines and other local ferments within the Greater Boston area, Luczai said.
“Get ready to raise a glass!” Luczai said. “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring our incredible friends from up and down the East Coast and showcase what happens when passion meets local fruit. This isn’t just a tasting; it’s an amazing opportunity to be impressed by Northeast’s finest wines and ciders, all while getting an exclusive sneak peek at our future sustainable vineyard nestled right here at the historic Whittier Birthplace.”
The first step is this three-day festival, featuring 18 different producers who will be pouring wine, ciders, and ferments, alongside local food vendors and live music.
Sample a wide variety of fermented beverages sourced from Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania—an opportunity to discover new favorites and support local artisans.
On Sunday, MASSeration will highlight the work of natural winemakers and fermenters with its stop in Haverhill. Attendees can sample whatever drink they wish during one of three timed sessions throughout the day: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m., or 3 to 5 p.m.
Earlier in the weekend, action will be at Forage, a restaurant in Cambridge on Friday with a “Hyper-Local Wine & Cider Showcase,” a patio meet & greet, and a tasting menu all evening.
Saturday will keep folks in Cambridge from noon to 4 p.m. at Momma’s & Zusammen, where guests can meet producers and stock up on favorite bottles.
Tickets are $50 and available on Eventbrite.com. A ticket purchase includes a commemorative MASSeration wine glass and a $5 donation to the Whittier Birthplace.