11 Best Wineries In Maryland

Maryland is one of America’s longest established winemaking regions, and the state is now home to a large number of wineries, many of which can be visited to sample their produce.

Since there are so many wineries to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one to head to first – so to help, here are our picks for the most interesting Maryland wineries to visit to give you an idea about where to start.

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Best Wineries In Maryland

1. Linganore Winecellars

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A winery that boasts fantastic scenery as well as great wine, making it the ideal place to while away a few hours enjoying nature and sampling the products from the vineyards.

If you just want to try a few glasses of wine, they have an outdoor area to accommodate you. The food menu is limited, but there’s a picnic area, so you can bring your own food if you want to make a day of it.

The winery also offers several guided wine-tasting packages, including one with a tour of the winery, which is a great way to learn more about how wine is made and how to appreciate it. You can also choose an option with a cheese board or charcuterie to accompany your wine.

Linganore winery is open most days of the year except for major holidays. For tasting, you should book ahead – reservations can be made through the website.

Address: 13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

Telephone: 301-831-5889

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.linganorewines.com

2. St. Michaels Winery

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A small and welcoming winery that produces a range of 18 different wines and that offers several different tasting options in the cozy on-site tasting room.

You can either order wines by the glass or opt to taste samples in one of the pre-selected packages. They currently offer two choices – dry or sweet.

Specialties of the house include their Gollywobbler range, which comes in red, white and rosé as well as peach and black. They also make a chocolate-infused zinfandel along with more traditional options such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

St. Michaels also runs a wine club that entitles members to discounts on wines from the winery along with certain other benefits.

Address: 609 S Talbot St, St Michaels, MD 21663

Telephone: 410-745-0808

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.st-michaels-winery.com

3. Basignani Winery

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Basignani Winery has been in operation since 1986, and as the name suggests, its wine-making roots stretch across the ocean to Italy, from where founder Bertero Basignani’s family originally emigrated to the United States.

Although he originally only made wine for family and friends as a hobby, after winning several amateur prizes – and with the encouragement those who tried his wines – Bert decided to turn his winemaking into a professional understaking.

Nowadays, the winery produces around 6500 gallons each year, and they also have an on-site tasting room. It’s recommended to book ahead for tastings, but they will accept walk-ins if they have space.

They also run various events such as a summer Saturday Music Night, Friday Night Café and a Trivia Night to make things even more fun and interactive.

Furthermore, there’s also an outdoor tasting pavilion that can cater for parties of up to 30. Booking the pavilion can be done through the website.

Address: 15722 Falls Rd, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152

Telephone: 410-472-0703

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Website: www.basignani.com

4. Big Cork Vineyards

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When experienced winemaker Dave Collins first visited the land that would become Big Cork Vineyards, he knew immediately that he had found the ideal site for the crowning achievement of his winemaking career.

With the perfect combination of climate and soil conditions, this award-winning vineyard now consistently turns out excellent wine year on year, largely thanks to Collins’ knowledge and meticulous approach to the craft.

If you want to see how he does it – as well as sampling the product of this exceptional winery – it’s possible to attend tasting sessions in the dedicated tasting room. Booking ahead is essential since they currently don’t accept walk-ins.

For a more intimate and personalized experience, private tastings are also available. The winery can also be used to host larger events – details are available on their website.

When visiting, you can enjoy the winery’s award-winning wines in sample size, by the glass or by the bottle.

They also run a wine club that gives members a number of benefits including the possibility of purchasing wines from the Black Label series, wines that are not available to the general public.

Address: 4236 Main St, Rohrersville, MD 21779

Telephone: 301-302-8032

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bigcorkvineyards.com

5. Rocklands Farm Winery

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A relative newcomer to the scene, Rocklands has only been open since 2010. However, with beautiful scenery, a peaceful atmosphere and some gorgeous rustic buildings, it’s a fun place to visit to sample their wines and simply soak in the winery’s idyllic rural charm.

At present, they don’t offer guided wine tastings, but you can buy sample packs to taste several of the wines they produce, giving you more of an idea about the wines that are available.

Alternatively, you can buy wines by the glass or the bottle, and visitors are permitted to bring their own picnics. Friday nights are “Fridays on the Farm” music nights, and this is a great time to visit if you prefer a livelier experience.

This farm also produces high-quality meat, which can be bought on-site or ordered online.

Address: 14531 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

Telephone: 301-825-8075

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.rocklandsfarmmd.com

6. Black Ankle Vineyards

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The winemaking journey at Black Ankle began in earnest in 2002 when owners Ed and Sarah acquired the farm that they would transform into the vineyard of today.

However, it was only in 2006, after plenty of dedication and hard work that they were able to pour their first glass of homegrown wine.

Following this, the tasting room opened in 2008, and nowadays, there are several tasting options available for those interested in sampling the best this winery has to offer. Details about the options and making reservations can be found on their website.

Along with the wine, you’ll also find a food menu offering cheese and other snacks designed to pair perfectly with what you’re drinking, which only enhances the overall experience.

Black Ankle also runs a wine club for fans of their products, and membership includes discounts on shipments of wine along with several other members-only perks.

Address: 14463 Black Ankle Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

Telephone: 301-829-3338

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.blackankle.com

7. Boordy Vineyards Inc

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Boordy Vineyards’ has a history that can be traced back decades – and ultimately centuries – to 1725 when the ancestors of the current owners moved to the area and never left.

There has been a vineyard on the site since as long ago as 1940, and the current owners acquired it in 1980.

At the forefront of their operations is a dedication to sustainability and the blending of traditional techniques with modern approaches to winemaking that results in a delicious range of wines that faithfully reflect the land where the grapes are grown.

The winery offers tastings by the flight, and the staff are on hand to give you guidance and advice if you’re not sure which option to go for.

Boordy regularly organizes events such as performances of live music, and they also offer several vineyard tour options for those keen on learning more about the winemaking process.

It is also possible to hold events at the winery – further details can be found on the website.

Address: 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082

Telephone: 410-592-5015

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.boordy.com

8. Catoctin Breeze Vineyard

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Among the very best wineries in the region, Catoctin Breeze should be high on the list of places to visit for any self-respecting wine buff passing through the area.

This winery follows a philosophy of respecting the terroir by employing natural, authentic, sustainable techniques that produce wines that are full of character and fully represent the local growing conditions.

The setting is also suitably attractive, and if you want to visit, you have several options. They offer guided tastings led by their expert staff, and for members of the wine club, there’s also an exclusive tasting lounge for a more VIP experience.

Alternatively, you can just turn up and enjoy a glass or two of wine in the delightful surroundings of the winery against the backdrop of the vineyards stretching off into the distance. For this option, reservations are not necessary.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is live music and food trucks, but you are also welcome to bring food to enjoy your own open-air picnic with wine.

Address: 15010 Roddy Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

Telephone: 240-578-3831

Email: [email protected]

Website: catoctinbreeze.com

9. Great Frogs Winery

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One of the more creatively named wineries in the region, Great Frogs Winery is another top pick for aficionados on wine tours in Maryland.

Great Frogs produces a range of high-quality wines, and visitors are welcome to stop by to sample them.

For those hoping to discover the winery’s selection, flight tastings are available that include six different wines.

There’s an indoor tasting room, and for that, reservations are recommended – but there’s also a large outdoor area, and tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

They also provide a range of wine-friendly snack foods to ensure you don’t go hungry, or you can bring your own food for consumption in the outdoor patio area.

If you enjoy the wines, you can join the Great Frogs wine club, which entitles you to a range of members’ benefits.

Address: 3218 Harness Creek Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403

Telephone: 410-626-6193

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.greatfrogs.com

10. Romano Vineyard & Winery

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A family-owned and run winery within striking distance of Washington D.C., Romano Vineyard specializes in producing small batches of handcrafted wine of supreme quality. The location is also sublime, providing the perfect backdrop for sampling the wines they produce.

The history of this vineyard is interesting since it originally started out as a small honey-producing operation. However, once they realized how fertile and productive the soil there was, they converted to growing grapes – and they’ve never looked back.

This winery doesn’t accept reservations, so it’s first-come, first-served. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and you’re welcome to bring your own picnic food since the winery doesn’t serve food or snacks.

On the other hand, if you are visiting with a larger group of 10 or more guests, you should get in touch with the winery in advance so they can make arrangements for your visit.

Address: 15715 Bald Eagle School Rd, Brandywine, MD 20613

Telephone: 301-752-1103

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.romanowinery.com

11. Fiore Winery & Distillery

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Fiore Winery is well into its fourth decade of operation, and in this time, it has established itself as one of the top wine producers in Maryland.

As you may guess from the name, the winery has Italian roots. Both owners were born in the Calabria region of Italy, and their winery incorporates age-old Italian winemaking traditions into their process.

At the winery, you can sample the wines in a guided tasting – seating is available both indoors and out. The winery also offers a spirits tasting, and both options are available on a first-come, first-served basis – although reservations can be made for larger groups.

This winery doesn’t serve food, but guests are permitted to bring their own, and the friendly welcome along with the picturesque scenery makes this another winery that should be high on your list of places to visit.

Address: 3026 Whiteford Rd, Pylesville, MD 21132

Telephone: 410-879-4007

Email: Contact via website

Website: www.fiorewinery.com

Many great options to visit while in Maryland

If you love wine and are planning a trip to Maryland, you should make a point of taking in at least one or two of the lovely wineries found in the state.

By taking the time to visit two or three, you will be given the opportunity to sample some of the delicious wines that the state produces, allowing you to compare them and decide for yourself which one you like the most.

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