Patriot NewsGreat Shoals Winery has been open two years now, and the longer the producer from Maryland's Somerset County goes, the more the demand increases for new products.Winemaker Matt Cimino said last week by phone that the winery is working with several regional... read more >

Patriot NewsGreat Shoals Winery has been open two years now, and the longer the producer from Maryland's Somerset County goes, the more the demand increases for new products.Winemaker Matt Cimino said last week by phone that the winery is working with several regional orchards, and that relationship has been instrumental in the release of a number of new products.

"Our farm partners ask us to feature certain fruit," Cimino said, "and we do our best to come up with ideas that we think the public will enjoy, and so that is how it is happening. I don’t have a checklist in front of me [with what I want to make next]."Great Shoals makes dry sparkling wines and cider wines out of fruit such as apples, peaches and grapes. It recently added two new products. One is a hard peach cider, the first in the state, a blend of Blazing star peaches and Ginger Gold apples from TS Smith and Sons Farms. The other is a blend of Crispin and Ginger Gold apples from Colora Orchards.

"It's slightly off-dry, one where we add a little oak tannins to give it a little more depth, a little more rounder feeling on the palate," he said. "That has been well-received."So, said Cimino, have all of Great Shoal's products. In general, as the company broadens its offerings, it's finding more now that it has something for everyone."I think it’s like with any other product," he said. "The general public has such a wide and varied palate that we just have to use our knowledge of what people will enjoy. One wine won’t make everyone happy, so we just have to use a different style to appeal to a broader population. But we're always encouraged by how people react to our wines when people go to events, and we see that in our retail sales." Hide

Big Cork Vineyards, the second largest vineyard in Washington County, Md., is excited to announce they have been selected to share their fine, handcrafted wines at a wine tasting party during the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The party is exclusive to film festival... read more >

Big Cork Vineyards, the second largest vineyard in Washington County, Md., is excited to announce they have been selected to share their fine, handcrafted wines at a wine tasting party during the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The party is exclusive to film festival organizers attending Cannes and will take place Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. The party is sponsored by FilmFestivals.com in association with FashionTV Red Carpet Lounge, IndieFlix, MusiVision Films, Emotion Film Factory, Champagne 1er cru Croix d’Irval and Seriously Inc. “We are thrilled to share our wines with festival organizers and represent Washington County during the Cannes Film Festival,” says Big Cork Vineyards President & CEO Randy Thompson. “Big Cork Vineyards’ goal has always been to provide unforgettable wines that encourage people to unwind, grab a glass and celebrate the best things in life. We can’t think of a better opportunity for festival organizers to do just that during the hectic film festival circuit.”Bruno Chatelin, board member of the European Film Academy, advisory member of the International Film Festival Summit and the CEO of FilmFestivals.com, invited all guests to bring their favorite wines to share — something they like or something that grows in their country. Tracie Hovey, Vice President of the Maryland International Film Festival and Business Development Director for Power Marketing, the firm responsible for Big Cork Vineyards’ advertising, is attending the festival and encouraged Big Cork Vineyards to supply their varietals during the party. Guests of the wine tasting party will sample four of Big Cork Vineyards’ signature wines: Chardonnay, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Late Harvest Vidal Blanc.Big Cork Vineyards currently sells and samples the four varietals at community events and wine festivals throughout Maryland. Wines will also be available this summer at local wine stores. A 9,600 sq. ft. sunlit tasting room and farm winery production facility are set to open in the spring or summer of 2014.About Big Cork Vineyards:Nestled on 100 rolling acres in Maryland’s Pleasant Valley, Big Cork Vineyards is a local legacy in the making. The winery is dedicated to producing 13 fine varietals and providing an unrivaled tasting experience. No expense has been spared to ensure that Big Cork’s wines capture the soul and stature of their grapes, their vineyards and their winemaker. For additional information, contact Communications Specialist Krista Scarlett at Krista@PowerMarketing.com, or visit the winery’s Facebook page. Hide

The Maryland Wineries Association is eager to present Maryland’s newest wine trail, the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail. This trail stretches across eastern Western Maryland, touching on renowned wineries, historic sites, and scenic Maryland nature. “It... read more >

The Maryland Wineries Association is eager to present Maryland’s newest wine trail, the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail. This trail stretches across eastern Western Maryland, touching on renowned wineries, historic sites, and scenic Maryland nature.

“It is great to have the wine industry expanding into Western Frederick County, Washington County, and Western Maryland such that we now have a synergy of wineries that can give great examples of wine from this area,” says Dick Seibert, managing partner of Knob Hall Winery. The higher elevations and the shale/limestone terroir of the area make for some interesting wines.”

The Antietam Highland Wine Trail includes Distillery Lane Ciderworks, Knob Hall Winery, Orchid Cellar Winery, Red Heifer Winery, and will host three other new wineries in the near future.

Distillery Lane Ciderworks, located in Jefferson, is truly a family affair. The Miller family created their farm with the help of 15 of their extended family members. Today, Distillery Lane Ciderworks produces cider made from their homegrown apples. Knob Hall Winery, located in Clear Spring, is an estate winery producing excellent quality wines from grapes harvested from their own vineyards. Their homegrown products maintain sustainable agriculture and tradition. Orchid Cellar Winery in Middletown is Maryland’s first premier meadery. Today, they produce many varieties of meads and two grape wines. Red Heifer Winery is a new venture by Kevin and Yvonne Ford, occupying 20 acres of their 100-acre family farm.

Between these four wineries, there are opportunities for wine tasting, winery tours, vineyard tours, shopping, and private events. Charming inns and restaurants line the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail, allowing visitors to make their exploration of the trail even more enjoyable.   

Although wine tasting is reason enough to travel the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail, there are other attractions to be seen in this area for both adults and children.  Tom Riford, president and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau agrees. “Washington County has a lot to offer visitors, including five national parks, eight state parks, over 30 museums…and now also the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail!”
The Antietam Highlands is home to the world-renowned Antietam National Battlefield. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and is known as the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. This park alone attracts about 205,000 visitors every year. Spend time at this historic site on a self-guided hike, participating in a battlefield scavenger hunt, or with a park ranger for additional walks and information.

The trail also features scenic views as the South Mountain reaches to 2,140 feet above the Potomac River. The C&O National Historic Park follows the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was once a lifeline for communities as it served as the region’s primary transit route for coal, lumber, and agricultural products.  The Catoctin Zoo is also located on the trail; this impressive zoo includes over 25 wooded acres and is home to a vast variety of animals from all over the world.

 The Maryland Wineries Association encourages you to explore the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail. Spend a day—or a weekend—in Western Maryland and explore what the Antietam Highlands has to offer you. Between wine tasting, museums, shopping, and historical sites, there are many memories waiting to be formed!

by Vivian Perry, communications intern
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Buy your tickets today for the Drink Local Wine Conference held at the Tremont Suites Hotel and Grand Historic Venue in Baltimore. DLW 2013 will include a Maryland Twitter Taste-off, featuring two dozen of the state’s best wineries, on April 13, plus four seminars... read more >

Buy your tickets today for the Drink Local Wine Conference held at the Tremont Suites Hotel and Grand Historic Venue in Baltimore. DLW 2013 will include a Maryland Twitter Taste-off, featuring two dozen of the state’s best wineries, on April 13, plus four seminars featuring some of the top names in Maryland wine.

>>>Learn more and register to attend. Hide

MWA Intern Christine Adkins writes about her recent visit to DeJon Vineyards. Taking the Harford Rd exit from busy I-695, the familiar scenes of pavement and office buildings are quickly replaced with the rolling countryside of Hyde, MD. It is here, amidst the quaint... read more >

MWA Intern Christine Adkins writes about her recent visit to DeJon Vineyards.

Taking the Harford Rd exit from busy I-695, the familiar scenes of pavement and office buildings are quickly replaced with the rolling countryside of Hyde, MD. It is here, amidst the quaint farmhouses, fields and open space, that DeJon Vineyards stakes its place on the Piedmont Wine Trail. The small vineyard, home to pastoral views of the surrounding farms, acres of conserved wetlands, and rows of graceful vines, serves as an afternoon respite from the bustle of nearby chaos.

Open now for two and a half years, DeJon Vineyards’ first grape vines went into the ground in 2008. Owners John and Denise Wilkerson, whose dream of starting a vineyard stretched back to their honeymoon days, finally came to fruition after reading a simple article in the newspaper. That article sparked some serious discussion about turning their 40+ acre cattle and hay farm, which they had managed for 10 years, into something completely different.

“I saw in the newspaper about a shortage of grapes in the area, and starting thinking about growing them,” says John. “I knew nothing about wine except that I liked it!’

Though the couple is relatively new to the wine industry, they’ve taken to the new agricultural challenge and had great success selling wine. Not quite ready to use the premature grape vines on the property, DeJon Vineyards’ wines are made with Maryland-grown grapes or varieties imported from Chile during the region’s dormant season.

Mere miles from DeJon Vineyards sits Maryland wine monolith Boordy Vineyards, but the small winery isn’t upset to have such a well-known competitor in its backyard.

“We love being near Boordy,” says John, explaining that having an established vineyard next door brings more visitors to the area, and thus, to his nearby tasting room. Its just one more characteristic the owners hope will set DeJon Vineyards apart from other vineyards and attract guests to their section of the Long Green Valley. Hide

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching and beer stores stocking up for the pre-festivity mad dash, wine may be taking a back seat to the Irish saint and his many followers. Nevertheless, Maryland’s local brewing scene is just as vibrant and evolving as its... read more >

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching and beer stores stocking up for the pre-festivity mad dash, wine may be taking a back seat to the Irish saint and his many followers. Nevertheless, Maryland’s local brewing scene is just as vibrant and evolving as its viticultural competitor. Before you head out to the closest store to pick up the oh-so-common case of Coors Light though, consider exploring some Maryland breweries whose dedication to the local movement is winning fans near and far.

Ruhlman Brewery
2300 Harvey Gummel Rd, Hampstead, MD 21074
410-259-4166, www.ourales.com/ourales

Sometimes, a simple homebrew kit can spark a revolutionary idea. At least that was the case for local hops producer and brewer Henry Ruhlman, after his children bought him a brewing kit almost seven years ago. After brewing for about a year, Ruhlman considered opening a brewery but didn’t have the money or place to bring the idea to fruition. Instead, he began to grow hops using a corner of his father’s farm unfit to grow other, traditional crops.

In 2010 with his father’s passing and the future of the farm in jeopardy, Ruhlman approached his siblings with his idea: open a family-friendly brewery on the farm’s property using his locally grown hops. Two years later, in July 2012, the Ruhlman Brewery opened its doors.

Now, the brewery is gearing up for the spring season, when families and craft beer fans alike can spend an entire day at the multipurpose brewery and grounds. Children are welcome to play hide and seek through the farm’s hops fields while parents sip on a glassful of their favorite brew at nearby picnic tables. Those looking for a more relaxing day can opt to take their brews pond side, where catch and release fishing is permitted. And if you’re feeling especially athletic after your tasting, Ruhlman Brewery boasts an 18-hole disc golf course. By April, three new beers will join the brewery’s established line of stouts, ales, and IPA’s already on tap. Take home a growler or two after your visit, or stop by stores in the surrounding area this month for your St. Patrick’s Day fix.

Ocean City Maryland Craft Beer, Shorebilly Brewing Company
10th Street & Boardwalk Company, Ocean City, MD 21843
410-725-0522
Shorebillybeer@gmail.com

As of March 1st Shorebilly Brewing Company is a month out from officially opening. Shorebilly will be located on 10th street on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. Danny Robinson, the owner, decided to open this brewery out of an undeniable demand for locally grown products.  Robinson is also the owner of multiple bars including Pickles Pub, Hammerheads, and Guido’s. In Robinson’s bars he has noticed a movement towards local products whether it be beer, wine, or food. “People kept asking for local beer,” says Robinson. Robinson intends to meet this demand with his supply of Maryland brewed beer.

“It takes a lot of ingredients to make a little bit of beer,” said Robinson while explaining his focus on local ingredients. Shorebilly has made a valiant effort to use mostly local ingredients in his brewery. They will be using hops that are grown locally in Pittsville, locally made honey, along with mostly locally grown grains.  Robinson explained, “It’d be impossible to source every ingredient locally, but we’re doing as much as we can.” Stop by Shorebilly’s in the upcoming season for tours and tastings.

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Spring Artist in Residence- Elizabeth Bygler

 

Port of Leonardtown Winery

Contact - Mary Wood, 301-884-3086

 

 

The Port of Leonardtown Winery Tasting Room is now showcasing the art work of local artist and art teacher, Elizabeth Bygler. The show will run through April, 2013.  

 

Elizabeth trained at Brooklyn, NY’s premiere Midwood High School, The Pratt Institute, The Fashion Institute of Technology and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She has been teaching for over eleven years both at her studio in Leonardtown and at the Community Center in Lusby. Elizabeth works primarily in oils and her love of color is reflected in her beautiful outdoor settings and subject matter. 

 

Elizabeth will be available at the winery’s Tasting Room on Friday, March 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm to talk about her painting  and her passion for art.

 

The Port of Leonardtown Winery Tasting Room is open Wednesday through Sunday 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. to see the art on display.  Hours are extended until 9:00 p.m. on the First Friday of each month.  For more information call the winery at 301-690-2192 or visit our website www.portofleonardtownwinery.com

 

 

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About Port of Leonardtown Winery: Early in 2008, the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative (SMWGC), T/A (trading as) Port of Leonardtown Winery, partnered with St. Mary's County Government and the Town of Leonardtown to complete a feasibility study to ensure success of grape growing in Southern Maryland and to examine potential markets for the grape production. The outcome was that the SMWGC entered into a lease agreement with the Town of Leonardtown in 2009 to operate the cooperative winery. The Port of Leonardtown Winery first started producing wine from the 2009 grape harvest, using berries from both local and regional vineyards. Port of Leonardtown Winery is open for tasting and purchase Wednesday through Sunday noon to 6 pm with extended hours on First Friday and other special dates.  The winery is located near Route 5 just off Newtowne Neck Road in Leonardtown. We can be found on the web at www.portofleonardtownwinery.com or 301-690-2192.

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Get the latest Maryland wine news via our monthly e-newsletter.

For cork dorks alike, no evening is complete without a great glass of wine. For lovers alike, no Valentine’s Day is complete without a box of chocolates. If you love wine and love love, then Valentine’s Day is the perfect fusion of chocolate and wine. But... read more >

For cork dorks alike, no evening is complete without a great glass of wine. For lovers alike, no Valentine’s Day is complete without a box of chocolates. If you love wine and love love, then Valentine’s Day is the perfect fusion of chocolate and wine. But with so many wines and so many chocolates, how does one pick the right combination? The guidelines below, adapted from Food and Wine magazine, are sure fire ways to make sure your sweet heart and you enjoy every last sip and bite.

•    Chocolate is an intense flavor. In order for it to pair well with a wine, the wine needs to be equally as strong. A fruity wine or a powerful red wine will be able to stand up to a strong piece of chocolate. Try Elk Run’s Syrah, a rich wine that features a slightly smokey taste mixed with fruits like blackberries.

•    If you want to pair wine with a creamy, decadent dessert, like chocolate mousse, a standard table wine just won’t do. Try a sweet dessert wine like Port of Leonardtown’s Autumn Frost. This late harvest wine made from Vidal Blanc is sweet enough to stand up to the dessert course, and can also be enjoyed drizzled over pound cake and vanilla ice cream.

•    Wine can be easily paired with chocolate when chocolate is an ingredient in the dish. Food Network Chef Sandra Lee created a rich beef stew by adding bitter sweet chocolate and Merlot. The chocolate and Merlot add depth to the stew – perfect for a cold February night. Try Harford Vineyard and Winery’s 2010 Merlot, a dry wine with earthy notes that weave through plum and black cherry flavors.

•     Thanks to movies and pop culture, we instinctively think of sparkling wine pairing well with chocolate covered strawberries. Step outside of the bubble and try chocolate covered blueberries, espresso beans, or chocolate drizzled over popcorn paired with a bubbly wine. Try Bordeleau Vineyards and Winery’s Blanc De Blancs, a crisp and refreshing 100% chardonnay sparkling wine. Hide

Guests slide out of their winter coats and offer an outstretched hand to a crystal champagne flute as soft piano notes float down the open stairway, transporting them to a earlier decade of regale flair. Climbing the stairs and entering a personal theater, these flutes... read more >

Guests slide out of their winter coats and offer an outstretched hand to a crystal champagne flute as soft piano notes float down the open stairway, transporting them to a earlier decade of regale flair. Climbing the stairs and entering a personal theater, these flutes are filled by sparkling rose or white wine as winemakers approach each empty glass in hand. On a crisp evening in January, this scene is not that in a classic film, but a creation by the Maryland Wineries Association at its newest event, Winter Wine at Evergreen. 

Featuring the best of the best Maryland wines, Winter Wine at Evergreen is MWA’s first winter season event. Over 15 wineries throughout the state converged at Evergreen Museum & Library, the Garrett family estate on Charles Street in Baltimore, to showcase their award-winning wines.

Wine enthusiasts were able to sample over 20 wines, separated by style, throughout the museum’s carriage house. Advanced tickets also granted guests entrance to a sparkling wine reception in the house and a rare opportunity to explore parts of the museum with tour guides.  Winemakers from many Maryland vineyards were also present to pour their own creations and answer any questions for curious tasters.

Though Winter Wine is in its inaugural year, and is MWA’s priciest event, over 150 guests in the Baltimore area attended. “This event was worth every penny,” said one attendee.

The Evergreen Museum and Library has long been a part of Johns Hopkins University, yet many guests had never visited the historic venue before Winter Wine. Attendees came away from the evening satisfied, interested in local wineries and Baltimore history, and ready to enjoy their own new favorite bottle of wine. Hide

Roy and Judy Crow, owners of the beautiful 365-acre working farm located in Kennedeyville, MD, have succeeded in implementing sustainable changes to their third generation family farm by adding new opportunities for growth while still preserving its original flavor. A... read more >

Roy and Judy Crow, owners of the beautiful 365-acre working farm located in Kennedeyville, MD, have succeeded in implementing sustainable changes to their third generation family farm by adding new opportunities for growth while still preserving its original flavor.

A new business plan allowed for farming operations to be expanded beginning with the renovation of their 1847 family farmhouse into the Crow Farmstay B&B. This change created a communal feel, giving people a firsthand experience of farm operations, such as corn production, angus beef, small flock of chickens, hay, etc.

A movement in Kent County promoting grape growing to farmers in the area prompted the Crows to begin their next development.

“We knew that growing grapes was something that would fit well with our overall business plan,” said Roy Crow, which then expanded the business to include vineyard manager son Brandon Hoy, Schmidt Vineyard Management Company to help guide operations, ShoreVines as a valuable promotion partner, as well as becoming members of the Maryland Grape Growers Association. All of these additions led to the planting of 3 ½ acres in 2010 contributing towards the production of wine.

John Levenberg began a five year commitment with the Crows as a wine maker and business consultant, along with training the family in viniculture preparing them for the business once the commitment expires. At this point, the Crow’s daughter-in-law, Brook Shuman, now the winery manager, will become the Crow Farm Wine Maker. The following year, 2011, led them to produce their first wine, a Vidal Blanc, which won a bronze medal in the Maryland Governors Cup along with gaining mentions in many travel publication magazines.

“We take pride in our family operation and have found that growing grapes is another value added product for our farm. We enjoy sharing our success and challenges stories with our farmstay guest as well as the folks just stopping by for the day to sample our wine,” said Crow.

The Crows have worked hard to expand and diversifying their farm. As a family business, Roy handles all business finance operations and his wife, Judy, is marketing and tasting room manager. Their renovated milk house acts as the new tasting room and the winery is what used to be a farm equipment shed. Inviting to all guests, the Crows are prideful of their farm both through its originality and historic aspect as well as its modern flexibility as it makes changes to accommodate new products and ideas.

Roy gives us a final expression on how the wine business will fit in with his family: “Long days of hard work to create high quality product is what we are used to doing. Growing grapes and making wine suits our family very well.”

For more details, visit them on our site. Hide