Vermont Maple Syrup
As the weather warms, Vermont’s local sugar houses around the region begin to collect sap from maple trees to be boiled down: becoming our world-famous Vermont Maple Syrup. Maple syrup production, a.k.a. “Sugaring Season,” usually lasts 4 – 6 weeks, typically beginning in late February. Sap begins to run when daytime temps are regularly above 32 degrees, and ends when the warmer days of late spring cause the Maple Tree leaves to bud and unfold. According to the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers, Vermont produces roughly 50% of the United States’ crop and on average produces 2 million gallons of Maple Syrup in those few short months. It takes an astounding 40 gallons of sap to make roughly 1 gallon of Vermont Maple Syrup.
Historic Fact: Long before European settlers came to the Americas, Native Americans – specifically the Iroquois people – had been transforming maple sap into syrup for generations. They pioneered the tapping technology that drew sap from the maple trees, as well as the processing techniques to take it from fresh sap to syrup and sugar crystals.
Join us anytime in Manchester, VT to TASTE and purchase the locally made liquid gold. Many of our area’s restaurants feature maple syrup inspired dishes and cocktails on their seasonal menus. If you want to see how the magic happens then come to Manchester, VT during sugaring season to visit a local sugar house. Don’t wait!
Where to buy…
Maple Experiences
Maple Meet-Up — Sunday Afternoons
Join us on Sunday afternoons for a 2 hour sugaring tour from 1:00p -3:00pm. You’ll get a chance to see and experience our maple sugaring operations, from the trees in the sugarbush to the evaporator, where we draw off the finished syrup. Meet at the Visitor Center wearing warm, waterproof layers and footwear 15 minutes before the tour begins. $5.00 per person, space is limited and reservations are required.
Maple Open House
March 25 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Spring is showing itself, as sweet sap drips from our maple trees and sugaring begins. Come and celebrate this time-honored Vermont tradition with us during our Maple Open House on Saturday, March 25, from 10a – 2p. Tapping and boiling demonstrations, storytelling, children’s activities, farm animals, and more await. Food available. $5 pp suggested donation.
Seesaw’s Lodge
Book any three nights for a stay, now through April 9, 2023 and receive a 12.6 fl.oz. bottle of Seesaws own, locally made Maple Syrup at check-in. Must mention the Manchester Business Association when making your reservation. Maple gift only applies to new bookings.
Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Stay at Kimpton Taconic Hotel for a truly immersive maple experience. Overnight accommodation in a deluxe room, Vermont maple syrup and sugar scrub from Hazel Bee, 25USD credit for Copper Grouse restaurant to enjoy a seasonal maple cocktail or dessert. Book now through April 30, 2023. To learn more click below.
Supporting Local Maple Producers
Buy a jewel and receive Vermont’s “liquid gold”. Through the end of March 2023, Judi McCormick Jewelry, in support of local farmers, is offering a half pint bottle of locally made Pure Vermont Maple Syrup with a purchase of any of her handcrafted jewelry items valued at $200 or more.
Join us for the Spring Maple Open Houses
March 25 & 26 and April 1 & 2 – Map and participating sugarhouses coming soon!
Spring Maple Open House Weekends celebrate the first crop of the season as Vermont’s sugar makers open the doors of their sugarhouses and invite visitors in to experience the joys and traditions of pure maple syrup. Whether it’s the sight of steam rising from the sugarhouse, the inviting aroma of boiling sap, or the sweetly divine flavor of syrup as enjoyed in traditional sugar-on-snow, visitors are treated to an experience for the senses!
Bob’s Maple Shop
Bob Bushee and his crew collect sap from 7 different Maple stands scattered throughout Bennington County. Then they boil it down to sweet deliciousness at their Richville Road sugar house. You can call ahead to plan a visit.
Dutton Farm Stand
Well known for their Vermont grown produce including farmer-grown fruits and vegetables, cider, maple syrup, plants, and other unique local products. Whether it is fresh farmer-grown fruits and vegetables, cider, maple syrup, or plants, you’ll enjoy visiting a true Vermont farm experience.
Sugar Shack
Like many of the sugar houses on our tour, Arlington’s Sugar Shack combines tradition with technology to produce all four grades of Vermont’s liquid gold. Take a tour, sample hot syrup, and check out the Norman Rockwell exhibit while you’re there. Our maple open house weekend is coming up March 19 & 20. Free silver dollar pancakes, maple syrup samples, tours and explanations in our Sugarhouse and LOTS of maple treats available in the shop.
Mance Maple
The Mance family has been carrying on the springtime tradition of maple sugaring for generations, in a Vermont sugarbush that’s been cultivated for more than a century. We still make syrup in small batches over a wood fire, the old-fashioned way. If we are boiling, please feel free to stop in. Located at 217 Holliday Drive Shaftsbury.
Glastenview Maple Farm
Glastenview Maple Farm is a family-owned and operated Vermont Sugar House. Our Maple sap is boiled over a wood-fired evaporator until it becomes Pure Vermont Maple Syrup. Our sugar season is typically Mid-February until the end of March, but we are open year-round for tours and sampling of our delicious maple products.
