BWE Maine '25: Friday, July 25th, and Saturday, July 26th.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:15 am

I agree, booking reservations way in advance is highly recommended. One time I was in Maine in mid to late July without a reservation and had to drive to a remote location in Massachusetts to find a place to stay.

Chris Bublitz

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 1:07 am

Michael and I are booked at the Hampton Inn for the 25th to the 27th

.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 3:24 pm

Nice!

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 12:35 am

Nalan and I are booked at the Hampton Inn Lewiston for Fri+Sat nights 25-26 July.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 12:43 am

That is so awesome. I am humbled to welcome you and Nalan to Maine for the first time after all these years.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 12:49 am

Just remember that I can eat lots of lobster rolls (love em!) but Nalan is shellfish allergic.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 12:56 am

We will make accommodations for the allergic among us, we’ll get a list of all allergies before the weekend.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:08 pm

Happy to report that we were able to get our trip to come together. So Paula and I plan to join in on the celebration both Friday and Saturday. We are also booked an the Hampton Inn.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:47 pm

Outstanding Jon!!!!!
I’m really happy to see everyone booking accommodations as well.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 3:44 am

I just took a look at Jim’s cellar, which he so generously offered up. Two wines I’d love to drink:

1986 Gruaud - because it’s terrific and I don't have any more

2014 Calon Segur - because I’ve never had one and he raves about it. Talk… no taste me into finding some.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:37 am

Mmmm those will go great with the steaks David!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 9:27 pm

JimHow wrote: ↑Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:37 am Mmmm those will go great with the steaks David!

My thoughts exactly!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:55 am

****UPDATE 3/15/25****

BWE MAINE '25

+++++++++++++

Hi BWEers,

This Maine weekend is really exploding into quite an event, between on- and off-line commitments, we could have 20-30 BWEers there, which would be awesome in my book. After 25 years, I have no idea how many more of these gatherings we have in us, I take none of these occasions for granted. I'm already working on making sure I have the infrastructure in place to accommodate everyone.

I'm happy to accommodate even last minute reservations, it's just a matter of making sure we order enough lobster. The steak orders on the second night (with fine northern Medocs) are even easier to accommodate. The bigger issue is making sure you can get into Maine and getting hotel accommodations in the Lewiston area. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN ON ARRIVING AT THE LAST MINUTE!!! I simply cannot emphasize that enough. If anyone has any thoughts of attending, please at least book local hotel reservations (listed below) now. I believe they all have liberal cancellation policies.

We have two two-day events blocked off that week, everyone is invited to either or both of these events:

EVENT #1: THE MAIN EVENT WEEKEND.

Day 1
Friday, July 25th

Dinner:

4-8pm

Steamed lobster at my house with fixings, with champagne, white and red Burgundy, and Sauternes, and red Bordeaux is not ruled out.

We will of course have other food options available to those allergic to lobster.

Day 2:
Saturday, july 26th

Lunch:

We leave Lewiston at 10:30am for 50 minute drive to Five Islands Lobster Company for early lunch (to beat the crowd at 11:30am) lobster rolls, we are encouraged to bring our own wine (white Burgundy), it is a spectacularly beautiful spot on the coast of Maine.

https://fiveislandslobster.com

Dinner:

5-8pm

Steaks grilled at my house, corn on the cob and other fixings, we pull out the big boy northern Medocs from my cellar, more champagne, Sauternes, etc.

On both nights of course, we have available that delicious Maine chocolate dessert treat known as La Pie de la Whoopie....

EVENT #2: THE JEAN-FRED / JOSIE VISIT

Everyone is invited....

Day 1: Wednesday, July 30th

4-8pm

Steamed lobster at my house with fixings, with champagne, white and red Burgundy, and Sauternes, and red Bordeaux is not ruled out.

We will of course have other food options available to those allergic to lobster.

Day 2: Thursday, July 31st

Lunch:

We leave Lewiston at 10:30am for 50 minute drive to Five Islands Lobster Company for early lunch (to beat the crowd at 11:30am) lobster rolls, we are encouraged to bring our own wine (white Burgundy), it is a spectacularly beautiful spot on the coast of Maine.

https://fiveislandslobster.com

Dinner:

5-8pm

Steaks grilled at my house, corn on the cob and other fixings, we pull out the big boy northern Medocs from my cellar, more champagne, Sauternes, etc.

On both nights of course, we have available that delicious Maine chocolate dessert treat known as La Pie de la Whoopie....

+++++++++

Nearby hotels that BWEers have stayed at:

Hampton Inn, Lewiston (about 2.5 miles from my house).
Marriott Residence Inn, Auburn (about 5 miles from my house).
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn (about 3 miles from my house).

Airports to fly into would be Portland, Maine (45 minutes from Lewiston), or Boston Logan Airport (2.5 hours from Lewiston).

The general rule is that everything in my 1,200+ bottle cellar is available (except my '95 Petrus!). I promise we'll pull out the crazy stuff!

My CellarTracker inventory is under "JimHow" at: https://www.cellartracker.com

Of course, those coming from afar are encouraged to spend some extra time in Maine exploring places like Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Popham Beach, Wells Beach, Baxter State Park, Eastport/Campobello Island (bring your passport) etc., etc., Maine is the most beautiful place on earth.

Everyone is welcome, including significant others obviously, the more the merrier, obviously the more notice I have the easier it will be to plan. And keep in mind, it gets tough to make reservations for travel and accommodations the later we get into the summer.

I will have drivers available to provide transportation to and from hotels.

Nearby hotels that BWEers have stayed at:

Hampton Inn, Lewiston (about 2.5 miles from my house).
Marriott Residence Inn, Auburn (about 5 miles from my house).
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn (about 3 miles from my house).

Airports to fly into would be Portland, Maine (45 minutes from Lewiston), or Boston Logan Airport (2.5 hours from Lewiston).

I have a beautiful back deck here in a wooded, private part of town. What better way to celebrate BWE's 25th anniversary!!!

BD

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 4:27 pm

Just took a look at the BD's cellar and would be interested to try these (in this order). However, since we and everyone else will be bringing wine from our own cellars as usual, I don't see how we will be able to try very many of BDs, so maybe only the top one or two on my list (unless there's convergence by the group on other bottles)?
16 Conseillante
15 Smith HL
15 Pichon Lalande
09 Clinet
09 Canon Gaff

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 4:40 pm

Well done, MichaelP, yes folks should feel free to let me know their wish lists from my cellar!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 5:36 pm

Reservation at the Hampton Inn done. Let see if I will finally make it or if Mr Président will have close the border to canadians before…

Good wish list MichaelP and DavidG. Even young I thought the 2015 Pichon Lalande is a beauty. And the 1986 Giraud Larose, a perennial favorite.

For my part, on wines, i’ll follow Jim’s lead.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 5:39 pm

I’m totally serious, I’ll uncork anything but the lone Petrus. I’m definitely going to pull out a Lafite or two, no holds barred for such a historic event!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 1:39 am

Michael P and Nalan are doing it right in my book, they are coming to Maine a couple days before the Lewiston festivities. Crossing into Maine from New Hampshire by car on a Friday afternoon in July is insanity plus. The drive from the Portland airport to Lewiston is not too bad but the airport itself will be busy.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 9:20 pm

There is also a rumor that HM$ and Lisa will be coming up from Teyyyxxass…. Yeah baby!

My credo: “Wine tastes best when shared with friends.”

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 11:09 pm

And David, we are more than happy to grill up anything for Peggy on Friday night, and keep her distanced from the lobster.
Nalan is allergic as well. I'm going to have family members and a couple of my lawyer buddies (including Steve Dassatti, who many of you have met from the early conventions of BWE), my brother Tom and sister in law Barb helping me out with the logistics, I've got my nieces and nephew available to provide regular shuttling back and forth from the hotel(s) upon request. Now if only the weather will just hold... although, I can and probably will order some canopying as well in the event of bad weather.

Seriously, folks, everyone -- and I mean everyone -- and anyone is invited. This will be a great opportunity to meet BWE friends and family and celebrate 25 amazing years of BWE friendship and love. And what more appropriate place than BWE mecca, "The Back Deck," in the great city of Lewiston, Maine.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 11:34 pm

I talked to Bobby, he and Barb are going to coordinate their annual summer trip to Maine around the event in Lewiston.

And I've got my agents working on the man from London....

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 1:56 am

Appreciate the offer Jim but we give shellfish a very wide berth.

Glad to hear Bob and Barb are coming up. I did some cheerleading from the sidelines.

It’s going to be a real treat to see so many of the gang.

ericp · Post by **ericp** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:30 pm

Jim - Rebecca and I are booked at the Hampton Inn for the 25th and 26th!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 8:18 pm

Tremendous Eric! It has been way too long!

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:30 pm

We were able to resolve conflicts. I booked us at the Hampton for Thursday-Sunday.

It will be great to see everyone.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:41 pm

Oh yesssss!!!!!

gmarie · Post by **gmarie** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:28 pm

Wow Jim! What an event you’ve planned! Thanks for all of the time you have spent planning this wonderful get together! Tom and I are definitely in! We have our flights!
Excited to see everyone and share a glass of wine

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:57 pm

I can't wait to see you guys, Gail, I am so thrilled that so many BWEers are coming, I think it is going to be a great way to celebrate 25 years!

smoore4 · Post by **smoore4** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 2:02 pm

This is SO AWESOME! Can't wait! Steve

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 2:17 pm

See you there Steve!!

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 7:46 pm

As ordered by our illustrious BD, Gail and I are booked for three nights at the Hampton for Thursday-Sunday!

Thanks for getting this together, Jim.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 19, 2025 11:09 pm

That is like the perfect reservation, get there a day ahead. It will be very, very good to see you and Gail, Tom!!

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Thu Mar 20, 2025 1:28 am

I was copying the reservation of our resident genius stefan!

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:01 pm

Damn! I’m for sure planning to come! +1 I think too

Any thoughts on the best way to get my wines there? Jim, can I ship some to you in advance?

P.s I can’t really drink and drive, is the uber situation good there?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:26 pm

Woohoo, Marcus, yes I’m putting together a team in Maine to provide cooking, transportation shuttling, etc., etc. It promises to be an epic two days!

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 8:41 pm

JimHow wrote: ↑Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:26 pm Woohoo, Marcus, yes I’m putting together a team in Maine to provide cooking, transportation shuttling, etc., etc. It promises to be an epic two days!

I should email you separately on this but can I ship some wines up to you soon in advance and you can store/safeguard them for the event? I figure shipping is better before it gets too hot.

A couple of ideas:

--should we organize verticals? I don't have many first growths (hardly any) but can make good contributions to verticals of Montrose, Pichon Baron, or Conseillante.

--I can contribute one (1) bottle of 1989 Lynch Bages to the festivities, although that may be sending coals to Newcastle.

--I propose a Jim Howaniec story hour where he gets one of his law partners and describes his most chilling and brilliant murder cases and takes questions on them from the crowd. This would actually be my biggest wish as I love hearing about murder trials.

--a 2005 horizontal -- this is an obvious idea others have probably already had.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 1:10 am

Ha. I like the way you’re thinking Marcus! Yeah this has the potential to be a truly historic 36 hour event, a lot of planning ahead. I’ve been amazed at the response from the range of BWEers old and new, a great 25 year celebration. We’ll have two lobsters for everyone on Friday evening and steak on Saturday evening with all the fixings, so plenty of opportunity for white and red Burgs, red Bordeaux, lots of Champagne, and Sauternes. Yes, you can ship wines to me, we’ll just have to coordinate it when I’m there, although, again, my cellar is open to all. We'll have plenty of transportation available in case folks want to have that extra glass of wine without worrying about driving.

This is the list of potential BWEers not including family members and lawyer friends who are going to help with the food, transportation and other logistics, it is going to be awesome, the more the merrier. We are working on the man from London. Joel, work on Jimmy and the DC crowd. As I said above, we can accommodate late deciders, we’ll probably want to get a realistic final count about a week beforehand for purposes of ordering the lobster, the steaks will be easy.

Jim
Joel (+ 1 or more?)
Nic (+ MC?)
Peter + Julia
Bill + Jan
Jon + Paula
Michael + Nalan
Eric + Rebecca
Bob + Barb
David + Peggy (Saturday night)
HM$ + Lisa
Ryan
Gerry + Mike
Tim
Tom + Gail
Winona + Marjorie
Harry + Greg
Marcus + 1
Steve Moore + 1

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 11:48 pm

I have a fair number of 2005s if we want to do that as a theme. That was probably a peak Parkerization vintage. I can go from uber-modern and controversial St Emilions (Pavie, Angelus, L’Eglise Clinet) to less over-the-top right (Trotanoy) and left (Pape Clement, Haut Bailly, Palmer, Ducru) bankers. Let me know if there are any requests.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 12:32 am

Looking forward to repeating that steak and Bordeaux experience with you and Peggy, David, those steaks when you guys were in Maine last summer, like the wine, always taste best when shared with friends.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:26 pm

Agreed we should do a 2005 horizontal. I could contribute a 2005 Figeac and Conseillante, along with a Pichon Baron.

Does anyone have any first growths?