LINCOLNVILLE, Maine - What better way to prepare for upcoming holiday season meals than by learning from the pros? Cellardoor Winery is teaming up with local chefs to offer a series of cooking classes just in time for the holiday season. In the kitchen of Cellardoor's beautiful restored 1790s barn in Lincolnville, guests will learn to cook gourmet four-course meals ranging from an Italian-inspired feast to a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Following the classes, participants dine on their creations paired with Cellardoor wines in the tasting room barn loft.

The complete list of upcoming classes includes:

October 18, 2009 # 5:00 p.m. | Paolina's Harvest: Cooking with Christina Sidoti
Guests will spend an evening learning the art of preparing a 4-course, Italian-inspired meal featuring dishes that celebrate the freshness of local fall foods. Led by Christina Sidoti, owner of Paolina's Way Restaurant in Camden, Maine, the class menu includes:

* 1st course: fried polenta cakes topped with a warm crab tapenade,
* 2nd course: rustic root vegetable and white cannellini bean salad over seared kale, topped with shaved parmesan (vegetables may change depending upon availability),
* 3rd course: pumpkin ravioli with crispy sage / brown butter sauce, garnished with toasted pine nuts, ricotta salata, dried cranberries, and
* 4th course: caramelized apple zeppole.

October 25, 2009 # 5:00 p.m. | Savory Pot Pie Cooking Class with the Chefs of Natalie's
Led by Chefs Lawrence Klang and Chad Gelso of Natalie's Restaurant Camden Harbour Inn, guests will spend the evening learning the art of preparing savory pot pies as taught by Chefs Klang and Gelso. Gelso recently featured a deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie on the WCSH-6 television show 207. Participants will learn the secrets to multiple pot pie recipes including:

* local sole, leek and carrot pie with a jus bourride,
* slow-roasted duck pie with cannellini beans and garlic sausage,
* braised lamb shoulder pie with Halloumi cheese, dates and pistachios, harissa lamb jus and filo crust,
* TV 207 Pie # a modern twist on the traditional chicken pot pie, and
* caramelized Maine apple pie with rosemary crème fraîche for dessert!

November 15, 2009 # 4:00 p.m. | Thanksgiving Dinner Cooking Class with Chef Lawrence Klang
Chef Klang will teach guests how to prepare a new take on the classic Thanksgiving dinner. Recipes include:

* roasted organic turkey breast and apple-stuffed leg and thigh with cider turkey jus,
* broccoli and salsify scaled halibut,
* turnip velouté,
* sesame turnip fondant,
* broccoli emulsion,
* sides dishes including maple sweet potato puree, aleppo pepper marshmallows and vanilla citrus cranberry chutney, and
* pumpkin soufflé with gingerbread crème anglaise.

December 5, 2009 # 4:00 p.m. | Dutch Sinterklass Class with Chef Lawrence Klang
As part of Camden's Christmas by the Sea weekend, Chef Klang of Natalie's will teach guests how to make some of the traditional Dutch holiday treats served on Sinterklass; including pepernoot, speculaas and taai-taai. In addition to sweet treats, Dutch savory dishes such as stamppot will be featured. A complete menu will be announced prior to the class.

December 6, 2009 # 4:00 p.m. | A Holiday Cooking Class with Chef Bryan Dame
Bryan Dame, executive chef at Lincolnville's The Edge restaurant, will be teaching a special Holiday Cooking Class as part of the Christmas by the Sea weekend.

Visit www.mainewine.com for complete details, announced soon.
Cooking classes take place in the tasting room kitchen at Cellardoor Winery's vineyard location at 367 Youngtown Road. Participation is $75 per person, and space is limited # to reserve spots call (207) 763-4478 or email info@cellardoorvineyard.com.