Maryland Wineries Association

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A Maryland Wine Experience: March 20th-22nd, 2026

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Join us in Frederick as the Maryland Wineries Association presents A Maryland Wine Experience, showcasing the best of Maryland wine in a two-part consumer event. Winemakers, winery owners and expert winery staff will be on hand to talk about their wines and offer a sneak peek into why they’re so passionate about what they do. Focused on exploration and education, you are invited to attend any, or all, components of A Maryland Wine Experience.

This unique spring wine experience will be hosted around downtown Frederick. Our full-day package includes admission to one Master Class from each session and the Grand Tasting, featuring dozens of Maryland-grown wines.

If you’d prefer to attend individual sessions of the event, don’t hesitate to build your own experience and purchase individual session passes for the Master Class Sessions, the Grand Tasting, and a sparkling brunch at Simple Theory Wine Bar.

And if you love the featured wines, visit the Maryland Wine Bottle Shop during the Grand Tasting where you can purchase any of the wines to take home at the end of your visit. Winemakers not included, though…

We look forward to seeing you at A Maryland Wine Experience this March.

Learn. Explore. Taste.

PART I – EXPLORE

WINE DINNER AT BENTZTOWN | FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Kick off the weekend with a delectable wine dinner at Bentztown in downtown Frederick. Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with hand selected Maryland craft wines. Check out the menu below (don’t worry, our mouth is watering too!):

  • Hamachi Crudo with Citrus Preserve, Cilantro, Persian Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Watermelon Radish
    • with Urban Winery’s Silver Spring White
  • Seared Scallop Topped with Herb Butter, Crispy Prosciutto, Red Chilli Pepper, Salmon Roe, Citrus Infused Honey
    • with 61 Vineyard’s Pleasant Plains White Blend
  • Braised Pork Belly with Herb and Fennel Salad, Spring Pea Puree, Orange Segment, Crispy Shallot
    • with NOIR Sunshine Winery’s Rosé
  • Prime NY Strip Served with Roasted Heirloom Carrot, Asparagus, Citrus Panko, Red Wine Reduction
    • with Six Wicket Vineyard’s Teroldego
  • Meyer Lemon Tart with Basil Cream and Lime Gel
    • with Elk Eun Vineyards’ Vin de Jus Glace

 

DOWNTOWN FREDERICK COCKTAIL CRAWL | FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Participate in an exciting, immersive experience on Friday, March 20 at the Downtown Frederick Cocktail Crawl. Explore McClintock Distilling and True Standard Distilling and sip on specialty wine cocktails made with Maryland wines.

This event is FREE to participate; all drinks are purchased a la carte at each location by participants. All participants will receive a booklet complete with a map to each location, and information about each business + the featured drinks.

PART II – LEARN

 

Master Classes | SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

What’s better than learning about something you enjoy? Wine education is a large part of A Maryland Wine Experience and we’ve curated a selection of excellent Master Classes. Each of these classes gives you an opportunity to experience wine with a newfound sense of appreciation.

| SESSION 1 MASTER CLASSES | – March 21, 11AM-12:30PM

Blind Tasting Experience | Hosted at Tenth Ward Distilling Company | 11AM

Become a sommelier for a day and learn how to use the Deductive Tasting Grid method as you blind taste some of Maryland’s most delicious varietals. Led by our seasoned wine pros, you’ll discover how to improve your tasting skills and more accurately describe the wine in your glass.

Your blind tasting gurus include:

2025 Vintage Preview | Hosted at The Y Arts Center | 11AM

With the 2025 harvest complete and the newest vintage resting in barrels, we invite you to be among the first to preview a selection of exceptional Maryland wines before they’re bottled. Enjoy exclusive barrel and tank samples while discovering how winemakers transform freshly harvested grapes into the finished wines you love.

Learn from our expert panelists, including:

|| 12:30 – 2:00pm LUNCH ON OWN ||

Explore local restaurants!

 

| SESSION 2 MASTER CLASSES | – March 21, 2PM-3:30PM

Blending Master Class | Hosted at Tenth Ward Distilling | 2PM

Join us for this hands-on seminar and learn about why wine blends are so important to a winemaker’s portfolio. You’ll learn how to create your own Super Tuscan-style red blend using Maryland grown wines, and will take away your own small bottle of a customized wine.

These winemakers will help you craft your perfect blend:

High-Low Pairings Master Class | Hosted at The Y Arts Center | 2PM

Highbrow meets lowbrow in this down-to-earth master class. Learn how exceptional wines can take your everyday cravings — think potato chips, fried chicken, and vintage desserts — to the next level. Because great taste doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.

Say hello to your snack sommeliers:

 

PART III – TASTE

 

The Grand Tasting | SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 3:30PM – 6:30PM | UNION MILLS PUBLIC HOUSE

The Grand Tasting at A Maryland Wine Experience features a curated selection of over 70 wines that are renowned for their exceptional flavor and quality. Discover the varietals that truly shine in our state, and enjoy the rare opportunity to meet the talented winemakers and winery staff behind the bottles. As you sip, enjoy an array of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres that complement your tasting journey.

Featured Wineries

Sip & socialize with your favorite Maryland wineries:

 

PART IV – BRUNCH

SUNDAY BRUNCH WINE PAIRING | SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 10:30AM-1:00PM

Brunch. But make it bubbly.

Enjoy a final farewell to the 2026 Maryland Wine Experience with a cozy Sunday brunch at Simple Theory Wine Co., located in downtown Frederick. A delectable array of brunch bites paired with a variety of sparkling wines—because there’s too much good Maryland wine to try just one. It’s all part of Maryland Wine Month and the Maryland Wine Experience this March, and trust us, this lineup is anything but ordinary.

  • Prosciutto Wrapped Melon with The Wine Collective 2024 Balt Nat Petinay
  • Potato Egg Chive Cups with Bohemia Manor Farm 2024 Blanc de Blanc
  • Cranberry Brie Puffs with Big Cork Vineyards Brut Rosé
  • Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs with Narcisso Wine Cellar Jubilee Sparkling Rosé
  • Beef & Blue Sliders with Chesapeake Manor Vineyard Sparkling Chambourcin
  • Honey Lavender Latte Cookies with Orchid Cellar Juniper + Spruce Tips + Lemon Sparkling Mead

 

BOOK YOUR HOTEL STAY AT VISITATION HOTEL NOW

Book your stay with Visitation Hotel TODAY and secure a great rate for your Maryland Wine Experience. Click here to reserve using the MWE group booking rate. You can also call 888-236-2427 and ask for SRP Code: MWA.

Reservations must be made by February 20 in order to receive the discounted rate.

Frederick also offers many other lodging options to fit your budget and the style of place you like to stay.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

A Maryland Wine Experience is curated for Maryland residents and visitors. In Frederick, museums meet martini bars, scenic landscapes provide thrill seekers with adventure, and cutting-edge cuisine is served up in Civil War-era buildings alongside unique specialty shops, galleries, museums, and theaters.

Located less than one hour from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Gettysburg, the city of Frederick, Maryland is surrounded by mountain views, wineries, orchards and vibrant Main Street communities. Visitors can hike the Appalachian Trail, visit local breweries, and tour a battlefield all in one day.

SILVER SPONSORS:

 

 

BRONZE SPONSOR:

WINE DINNER SPONSOR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MWA Announces Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass

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For Immediate Release

Maryland Wine Association Announces Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass

Baltimore, Md. — Maryland Wine Association today announced the Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass, a paid tasting pass designed to make exploring Maryland’s winery scene simple, flexible, and rewarding. Built by Bandwango and delivered via mobile web, the pass gives residents and visitors an easy way to discover participating tasting rooms across the state while enjoying built-in savings and an easy way to plan their outings.

The Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass offers three options to fit different travel styles. The 1-day pass is priced at $40 and allows up to three redemptions. The 3-day pass is priced at $85 and includes up to nine total redemptions with a max of 3 redemptions per day. The 90-day pass is priced at $140 and includes access to all offers on the pass with a max of 3 redemptions per day. Guests present the pass at participating wineries to redeem included tastings or offers; the pass tracks usage automatically so travelers can focus on the experience.

“Maryland’s wine country is remarkably diverse, from waterfront vineyards to rolling countryside estates,” said Janna Howley, Executive Director of Maryland Wineries Association. “With the Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass, visitors can taste more and plan less.”

The Maryland Wine Explorer’s Pass is now available for purchase at https://marylandwine.com/explorerspass/, where consumers can instantly add the pass to their phones. Interested travelers and media can visit the site or contact the Maryland Wineries Association for more information about participating locations, pass terms, and launch timing.

About the Maryland Wineries Association
Maryland Wineries Association, a non-profit, member based, trade association, represents more than 80 wineries across the state. MWA’s mission is to cultivate a sustainable wine-growing community by expanding agricultural products and by increasing awareness through special events, industry education, advocacy, promotions and tourism. MWA is represented by the management group, Cultivate + Craft. For more information, please visit www.marylandwine.com.

About Cultivate + Craft
Cultivate + Craft is a consulting firm specializing in value-added agriculture, agritourism, and craft alcohol manufacturing. With a mission to enhance profitability for farms and small businesses, the firm collaborates with industry associations, including the Maryland Wineries Association, the Brewers Association of Maryland, and the Maryland Distillers Guild.

About Bandwango
Bandwango builds digital passports that help destinations and attractions drive visitation and measure results. Its platform powers paid and free passes across tasting trails, attractions, and seasonal promotions with instant delivery, simple redemption, and robust reporting.

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