1648 – Earliest recorded instance of winemaking in Maryland, by Tenis Palee
1662 – Governor Charles Calvert plants 200 acres of European grapes, the first European grapes in Maryland, on the east bank of St. Mary’s River
1823 – John Adlum of Havre de Grace writes the first book in America on viticulture and winemaking
1829 – Maryland Society for Promoting the Culture of the Vine is formed
1933 – Philip Wagner, a columnist with the Baltimore Sun, publishes American Wines and How to Make Them, later revised as Grapes Into Wine; it is the definitive book on winemaking in America
1945 – Boordy Vineyards opens in Riderwood, Maryland’s first bonded winery; Philip Wagner, proprietor
1981 – Maryland Grape Growers Association is formed
1983 – The Linganore AVA area is formed
1984 – Maryland Wineries Association is founded
– The first Maryland Wine Festival is held
– Maryland Winery and Grape Growers Advisory Board is formed
1985 – The Cumberland Valley AVA area is formed
1987 – The Catoctin AVA is formed
2000 – Maryland House Bill 414 passes, allowing state wineries to sell wine by the glass at the winery and to bring product onto retail licensed premises for promotional activities
2001 – Maryland Wineries Association launches its first-ever major cooperative marketing campaign, “Ask For Maryland Wine”
2004 – Governor Robert Ehrlich plants a grapevine at Government House in support of the Maryland wine industry. The Governor forms the Maryland Wine and Grape Advisory Committee to investigate ways of promoting growth in the industry
2005 – Wine and Grape Advisory Committee releases its report: “Maryland Wine: the Next Vintage”
– Maryland Wine & Grape Advisory Commission is formed through legislation, making permanent the previous advisory committee.
2010 – “The Maryland Winery Modernization Act” is signed into law, revising the laws affecting winery operations.
2011 – Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping is signed into law, allowing Marylanders the ability to order and receive wine by mail.
2012 – “History of Maryland Wine: A Full-Bodied History” – written by Regina McCarthy – is released
2013 – Law passed to allow wineries to attend farmers’ market
