Maryland Wineries
Intro to Maryland's Winemaking
Maryland wineries have a long and rich history. Wine grapes were first planted in Maryland in the mid-16th century by order of Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Maryland failed to have much success at viticulture despite efforts to cultivate vitis vinifera, French hybrid, and native American varietals. The first commercial winery in the state, Boordy Vineyards, was founded by Philip Wagner in 1945.
Most of the wineries in Maryland are located northwest of Baltimore, around the Chesapeake Bay and Piedmont Plateau regions of the state. Maryland has three designated American Viticultural Areas.
Quick Facts about Maryland Wineries
· Maryland wineries grow most of the grapes in the state – comprising nearly 120 acres of vineyards.
· The wineries also support an increasingly expanding commercial grape growing industry.
Maryland grape growers harvest an average of 800 tons a year.
· There are 31 wineries licensed in Maryland.
· Boordy Vineyards is Maryland’s oldest winery (1945); Galloping Goose Vineyard is the newest winery in Maryland (2008).
· Maryland wineries sold 228,657 gallons (approximately 1,154,056 bottles) of wine in fiscal year 2007– a 19.2% increase over 2006.
· Annual sales of Maryland wine in FY07 are estimated at $12.7 million.
· Maryland wineries produce over 240 different wines.
· Maryland wine is sold at more than 600 retailers and is served at over 100 restaurants.
Wine Trails
There are two major wine trails in Maryland. Both are a pleasant scenic drive passing pastures and villages, with nice places to stop for a meal, or just a picnic.
Maryland wineries are very diverse and produce wines for all tastes, from strong full bodies cabernets to ligter fruities kinds. It's a good idea to call before you go. Sometimes wineries host events that would be worth catching. By changing your arrival time or date, you may be able to see live bands, coulinary shows and more.
Or you can plan your trip around the closest to you
Maryland wineries.
Frederick Wine Trail
The following Maryland wineries are located along this beautiful trail. Stop at a couple, or a few, just don't drink and drive :-)
BERRYWINE PLANTATIONS/LINGANORE WINECELLARS
301-831-5889
13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mt. Airy From I-70 take Exit 62, Libertytown/New Market. Turn onto 75 North. Proceed 4.5 miles to a right onto Glissans Mill Road. The winery is 4 miles on the right.
BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS
240-464-3280
14463 Black Ankle Road, Mt. Airy From I-70, take Exit 68, Route 27 North. Follow Route 27 for 8 miles to a left onto Route 26 West in Taylorsville. Proceed 4 miles to a left onto Unionville Road. Follow Unionville Road for one mile to a left onto Black Ankle Road. The winery is 1/2 mile on the right.
ELK RUN VINEYARDS
410-775-2513
15113 Liberty Road, Mt. Airy From I-70, take Exit 68, Route 27 North. Follow Route 27 for 8 miles to a left onto Route 26 West in Taylorsville. The winery is 2.5 miles on the right.
FREDERICK CELLARS
301-668-0311
221 North East Street, Frederick From I-70 take Exit 56, Patrick Street. Proceed toward downtown Frederick. Turn right at 3rd traffic light onto East Street. The winery is 3/10 of a mile on the left. Turn left into driveway just to the right of the winery. Parking at the rear.
LOEW VINEYARDS
301-831-5464
14001 Liberty Road, Mt. Airy From I-70, take Exit 68, Route 27 North. Follow Route 27 for 8 miles to a left onto Route 26 West in Taylorsville. The winery is 5.1 miles on the left, just past the sign for Albaugh Road.
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VINEYARD
301-605-0130
18125 Comus Road, Dickerson From I- 270 take Exit 22, Hyattstown/Barnesville. Off the ramp, take Maryland Route 109 (Old Hundred Road) south for 3 miles to a right onto Comus Road
Mason Dixon Wine Trail
This trail covers is also one of the most scenic routes that could be found in the state. Make sure you pack a picnic with you. Most of the Maryland wineries have a picnic area, so if you're not into spending cash at their restaurants, it would be a good idea to bring a couple of sandwiches to enjoy on the wineries' grounds.
Adams County Winery - established in 1978, is a small Maryland winery located in Adams County just eight miles West of Gettysburg. Your drive to the Winery will wind you through apple, peach and pear orchards. Pack a lunch or purchase snack items in the gift shop, and enjoy a picnic away from the hustle and bustle, amid towering pines, vineyards and gardens.
251 Peach Tree Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353, (717) 334-4631
Open 10-6 daily
vintner@adamscountywinery.com
www.adamscountywinery.com
Allegro Vineyards - founded in 1980 by musician brothers John and Tim Crouch and now under the ownership of winemaker Carl Helrich and his wife Kris Miller, it is a business which delights in practicing the art of fine winemaking. From our Bordeaux-style Cabernet to our award-winning Red Raspberry Wine, the wines are thoughtfully made and a pleasure to share.
3475 Sechrist Road, Brogue, PA 17309 (717) 927-9148
Open Wed-Fri 1-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5
info@allegrowines.com
www.allegrowines.com
Basignani Winery - established in November, 1986, and has been producing a variety of wines using traditional cellar methods and old world viticulture for 16 years. Bert Basignani, the winemaker, emphasizes quality over quantity, and his table wines are unfiltered, reaching their full potential while preserving their character. Located in the rolling hills of "horse country" just north of Hunt Valley, Maryland, visitors are invited to taste our wines, tour the winery and vineyards, and purchase wines to take home; or enjoy a picnic on our grounds with our family of border collies.
15722 Falls Road, Sparks, MD 21152 (410) 472-0703
Open Wed-Sat 11:30-5:30; Sun. 12-6
lynne@basignani.com
www.basignani.com
Boordy Vineyards - the oldest one of the family run Maryland wineries. Established in 1945, Boordy is owned by the R.B. Deford family and is situated on their 230-acre farm in the Baltimore countryside. Boordy is only fifteen minutes north of the Baltimore beltway, yet its setting in the gentle hills of the Long Green Valley seems a world apart. Rows of carefully tended vines, a cluster of charming 19th century farm buildings and shaded picnic grounds await the visitor. The winery's massive fieldstone walls provide an ideal environment for the production and aging of award-winning wines. Offerings include oak-aged cabernets, crisp chardonnays & seyval blancs, methode champenoise sparkling wine, a Maryland port, and other specialties.
12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082 (410) 592-5015
Open Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5
info@boordy.com
www.boordy.com
Fiore Winery
3026 Whiteford Rd., Pylesville, MD 21132 (410) 879-4007
Open Mon-Sat 10-5 ; Sun 12-5
www.fiorewinery.com
Naylor Wine Cellars
4069 Vineyard Road, Stewartstown, PA 17363 (800) 292-3370
Open Mon-Sat 11-6; Sun 12-5
dick@naylorwine.com
www.naylorwine.com
Seven Valleys Vineyard & Winery
885 Georges Court, Glen Rock, PA 17327 (717) 235-6281
Open Fri-Sun 12-5
WINE SHOP: 27 N. Main St., Shrewsbury, PA 17361 (717) 227-0257
Open Thurs-Sat 11-5; Sun 12-5
wine@sevenvalleys.com
www.sevenvalleys.com
Woodhall Vineyards & Wine Cellars
17912 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120 (410) 357-8644
Open Mon-Fri 11-5; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5
acopp@msn.com
www.woodhallwinecellars.com
Top 10 Things to Do in Maryland
Before or after your wine tasting, it would be a good idea to explore the state a little while you're there. Most Maryland wineries offer restaurants on site, so I did not bother listing place to eat.
Here are the top ten attractions as rated by the state's visitors.
1. American Visionary Art Museum - The mission statement of the American Visionary Art Museum joyously proclaims: "We seek to draw attention to America''s history as a mecca for forward-looking innovators, optimists, dreamers and doers--highlighting the sense that America is at... “
2. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Opened in 1992, this baseball stadium incorporates the old Baltimore & Ohio RR Warehouse building into its asymmetrical design.
3. National Aquarium in Baltimore - For those marine life lovers, it’s a mini paradise.
4. Maryland Science Center - The Maryland Science Center is a fun and educational place to spend our last afternoon in Baltimore.
5. Walters Art Gallery
East meets West at the Walters. On one hand, its collection spans nearly the entire history of Western art. Includes spacious galleries of Greek and Roman statuary, Baroque carvings, and other large collections
6. The Great Frederick Historic Treasure Hunt
Lots of fun and history - all in one.
7. Ocean City Beaches - This is one of the best kept beaches around. Unlike other beaches in Delaware and Virginia this is family oriented place and kept clean. There are lots of lifeguards.
8. Baltimore Harbor Tours by George - Any visitor to Baltimore should experience the city from the water, which affords a great view of the Baltimore skyline and provides a broader sense of the city.
9. Baltimore Orioles - Since 1955, the Orioles have brought a great deal of joy to Baltimore's baseball fans. No matter where you're from, an evening spent watching the Birds at Camden Yards is an evening well spent.
10. Lexington Market - While waiting for our entrance time at the Baltimore Aquarium, we all decided to go for a walk to the famed Lexington Market in the downtown area.
Ever thought of yourself as a Wine Personality? Check out what your wine personality is by taking a quiz here.
Win your two night hotel stay by sharing your wine opinion in the Wine Poll.
Back to Top
Back to Winery Explorer Home Page
|
