With an array of free tastings, creative workshops and wine classes, Wine on Main aims to make wine feel accessible and fun for everyone. Owner Emma Stetson, who opened the store two and a half years ago, has spent more than a decade in the wine industry. She opened the downtown shop to use her passion for wine to bring people together.

“I don’t think that wine has to be pretentious or exclusive,” Stetson said. “At Wine on Main, I want to give everyone a place where they feel comfortable coming in to learn more about wine and participate in events. Our slogan is, ‘An Experience for Everyone.’ I want everyone to come in and feel comfortable and have it be a cozy space where they can make friends and hang out and learn about wine in a easy-going, comfortable setting.”

The wine shop hosts events in collaboration with other local businesses, such as Candle Tree or New Hampshire Donut Company. Stetson strives to hold multiple free tastings a month, in addition to other paid events like classes that delve more into tasting vocabulary and pairings. Upcoming events include multiple free tastings (Saturday, March 29, 1 to 4 p.m. and Friday, April 4, 5 to 7 p.m.),  a gemstone earring workshop and wine tasting with La Mia Mano Jewelry (Wednesday, April 2, 6 to 8 p.m.), a seaglass succulent workshop with The Funky Squid (Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m.), and a Harry Potter Trivia Night with Savvy Sweets & Treats (Thursday, April 24, 6 to 8 p.m.)

“My favorite part is definitely educating and sharing my knowledge with other people and seeing them get excited about it as well, and seeing them build their passion here at the store,” Stetson said.

For the paid wine classes and more in-depth tastings, the store often brings in guest winemakers to talk about their produce in more detail from process to pour.

“It’s one thing to just drink it and enjoy it out of the bottle,” Stetson said. “The next step is knowing the story behind it, and hearing from the winemaker or special guest. But it totally transforms the experience when you’ve actually been to the place. You see the hills and the slopes, and all of a sudden understand the climate and how the sun hits the slopes and how they’re making things work in the vineyard.”

Wine On Main will lead a trip to Italy in 2026 for community members interested in witnessing the wine-making process firsthand. Stetsons said this is the first trip the store will host and she hopes it will become a blueprint for future wine education adventures.

She also offered a few pieces of advice for people looking to get more into wine. Stetson recommended going to a local wine shop and asking questions to get to know the wines better.

“The more you taste, the more you figure out what you like yourself, and you start to identify different kinds of wines, and then what questions to ask,” she said.

To learn more about the wine store or access a calendar of Wine on Main’s upcoming events, visit wineonmainnh.com.

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com.