Boordy Vineyards Dessert Wine Wins 2023 Maryland Winemasters Choice Competition
The winery’s 2015 Veritas dessert wine claims the annual Maryland Comptroller’s Cup award
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The 2023 Maryland Winemasters Choice Competition featured a record 147 entries and included Maryland-made wines from 23 wineries. Judges determined that Boordy Vineyards’ 2015 Veritas performed best and earned the 2023 Comptroller’s Cup. The competition showcased a diverse range of entries, from exquisitely crafted sweet fruit wines to fine white and red wine varietals.
“Boordy Vineyards bridges the gap between Maryland’s wine-growing heritage and modern approaches to crafting fine local wines,” says Kelly Dudeck, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “This award highlights the winery’s commitment to growing and producing award-winning wines in the state while showing that unique wine styles, like the 2015 Veritas dessert wine, can consistently earn the judges’ favor at competitions.”
Boordy Vineyards’ Veritas is a luscious and full-bodied dessert wine crafted from locally grown grapes. The wine’s aromas of orange and caramel develop from gradual oxidation while aging in French oak. The 2015 Veritas unanimously earned double gold before claiming the best fortified/dessert wine award and the competition’s “Best in Show” title.
“We have produced Veritas for over two decades, having discovered almost by accident that Chambourcin makes an exceptional port-style wine when appropriately vinified and patiently aged, said Rob Deford, president of Boordy Vineyards. “Our 2015 Veritas spent 7 years in barrel, allowing it ample time to develop its nuanced aromas and depth of flavor. The credit for our Veritas goes to our vineyard crew, led by Ron Wates, and our winemakers Tom Burns and Jose Real.”
Located in Hydes, Boordy Vineyards became a bonded winery in 1945. The vineyards and winery have been owned by the Deford family since the 1980s. Today, Boordy operates vineyards in Baltimore and Frederick counties. The Hydes vineyard, winery and tasting room attract local residents and tourists to its beautiful property throughout the year.
Of the event’s 147 entries, 119 wines earned scores qualifying them for medals. Best-in-class acknowledgments were awarded to wines in 9 categories. The event awarded five double gold medals, 14 gold medals and an additional 96 silver and bronze medals. These results underscore the tremendous quality of the competition’s entries and the participating wineries. The list of best-in-class, double gold and gold medal winners includes:
Best In Class
- BEST IN SHOW & Fortified/Dessert: Boordy Vineyards • 2015 Veritas
- White Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Russian Kiss
- White Varietal: Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Albariño
- Red Blend: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Orion
- Sweet/Dessert: Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Chambourcin Merlot
- Rosé: Boyd Cru Wines • 2022 Free Spirit Rosé
- Fruit: Big Cork Vineyards • NV Black Raspberry Port
- Mead: Clear Skies Meadery • 2023 Meadarita
- Sparkling: Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Blanc de Blanc
Double Gold Medal Wines
- Big Cork Vineyards • 2020 Muscat Port
- Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Russian Kiss
- Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Albariño
- Boordy Vineyards • 2015 Veritas
- Serpent Ridge Vineyard • 2021 Albariño
Gold Medal Wines
- Big Cork Vineyards • NV Black Raspberry Port
- Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Chambourcin Merlot
- Boyd Cru Wines • 2022 Free Spirit Rosé
- Corteau Vineyards • NV Petit Verdot
- Corteau Vineyards • NV Barbera
- Corteau Vineyards • 2022 Chardonnay
- Libertas Estates • 2021 Pinot Gris
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • 2020 Chambourcin Reserve
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • 2020 Vintner’s Select Red
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • 2022 Rooted
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Chardonnay
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Merlot
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Orion
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Pinot Grigio
To see the rest of the competition medalists and to learn more about the Maryland Wineries Association, please visit marylandwine.com. If you’re looking for an opportunity to find award-winning Maryland wines, consider attending an upcoming event featuring Maryland wine, including Wine in the Woods. Wine in the Woods returns to Symphony Woods at Merriweather Post on May 20 and 21, 2023, tickets are on sale now at wineinthewoods.com.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association representing more than 85 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand Maryland’s grape and wine industry – through education and promotion.
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