05/10/2026
What does maple syrup have in common with olive oil and wine? More than you might think.
While traveling through Portugal on our Viking Cruise, we discovered that our Cruise Director José shared the exact same birthday as Tom. We had packed a few small Mason’s Maple leaf bottles to give to special people we met along the way, and of course one had to go to José — along with a piece of copper jewelry for his mom and a few Yooperlites from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
A few days later, while visiting José’s hometown, he surprised us with one of his family’s favorite bottles of wine and two bottles of their own homemade olive oil.
It reminded us that some of the best connections in life happen through things made by hand — maple syrup, wine, olive oil, art, family traditions, and gifts shared from the heart.
We’ve made friends all over the world with small bottles of maple syrup. People are always touched that something so simple can carry such a strong sense of home, family, and place.
From Portugal to the Upper Peninsula… sharing a little “liquid gold” seems to speak every language.
— Mason’s Maple Products, LLC
