Maryland has the finest seafood and an abundance of beaches, including some of the most magnificent scenery with rolling mountains.
Besides agriculture playing an essential role in the state, its viticulture has grown with more and more first-class wineries sprouting up around the state.
Maryland has a diverse terrain and climate, nurturing a wide selection of grapes with 36 grape varieties with vineyards producing a wide range of wines.
You’ll find Cabernet Sauvignon, Norton, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc in the Western Mountain region of the state. The Southern Plain region grows Vidal, Montepulciano, Blaufrankisch and Sangiovese grapes.
In the Piedmont region, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc and Merlot thrive, whereas any grape can grow in the Eastern Shore region, especially Sangiovese.
All around, the most popular wines you will find when wine tasting in Maryland are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc.
Where To Go For Wine Tasting In Maryland
- Linganore Winecellars
- Boordy Vineyards
- Old Westminster Winery
- Big Cork Vineyards
- Black Ankle Vineyards
- Robin Farm and Vineyards
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery
1. Linganore Winecellars
One of Maryland’s most highly deemed wineries is Linganore Winecellars, offering high-quality wines, private tastings, vineyard tours, and stunning estate views. Private tastings include sweet tastings, reserve tastings and blended tastings.
Last Harvest Vidal Blanc is for the sweet tooth as a must-try, with notes of melon, pear, honeysuckle, and vanilla – a sweet ice style.
All are enjoyed on the vineyard’s spacious barrel lounge, patio, or deck. You can also reserve a fire pit table outside for a toasty and cozy time sipping wine during the colder months.
The winery even offers cheese and charcuterie boards to accompany your wines to share with friends and family.
It began in 1972, tucked away among rolling hills, cornfields, and dairy cows, a small but mighty vineyard planted grapevines in the fertile ground of an old dairy farm.
After switching to screw caps to bottle their wine, the family-owned business shares an eye-opening article on the advantages of using screw caps versus the traditional cork.
The selection of wine includes dry, sweet, and fruit wines such as reds, whites, and roses. Wine tastings happen seven days a week, starting at 10 AM, except for Sundays at noon.
Winery hours are the same and stay open an hour longer in the evenings. The vineyard hosts events for private and public celebrations.
2. Boordy Vineyards
Another family-owned vineyard, Boordy Vineyards, produces an assortment of world-class wines to soothe or excite your palate. Included are Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris.
Enjoy wine by the flight and bottle with food truck events and live music on weekends. Landmark Mix, Landmark Reds, and Landmark whites are the choices for wine flights.
The historic buildings surrounded by the rich land of Long Green Valley of Baltimore greet you on arrival. Inhale the fresh air, and relax in the calm and rustic environment. Visit the barn tasting room, select your wine, and head outdoors to refresh your mind and body.
Maryland’s oldest winery, Boordy Landmark Reserve 2015, wins the double-gold in the Governor’s Cup 2020.
Albarino 2017 is another winner of the Atlantic Seaboard 2018 Gold Medal and Best in Class. The Albarino Reserve has also won awards, emitting orange, kumquat, tangerine, and wet stone aromas.
Open Mondays through Saturdays, relish handcrafted wines from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM.
3. Old Westminster Winery
Visitors enjoy the enchanting views, delectable pizzas, and pleasing to the palate wines. Old Westminster Winery invites a restful break in a beautiful place, offering an array of Maryland-grown wines.
The winery rotates its offerings seasonally with something new to savor on each visit.
Appreciate the cozy seating on the patio, picnic tables, and under the sail cloth tent with scenic views of the grounds and estate. If you need a tranquil venue, inquire about private events.
The winery serves bubbly, reds, whites, roses, and piquettes. Taste their thirst-quenching Blinded by the Light, a blend of Piquette Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Gruner Veltliner with exuding peach rings, lemonade, pineapple, and starfruit.
Westminster displays wine by the glass, flight, and bottle with tasty menu items, such as local cheeses, pizzas, sourdough toasts, artisan jams and honey. Sunday brunch is a must-try menu for those early bird wine connoisseurs.
Inquire about their events, such as Solstice Festival, gatherings that feature winemakers, and live music. Seventy-five tables are available for reservations Friday through Sunday, starting at 9 AM.
4. Big Cork Vineyards
Drink wine in style at Big Cork Vineyards with a spacious and modern tasting room, sampling six award-winning wines.
For an intimate experience, reserve private wine tastings or group tastings between five and 15 people. Or appreciate the Big Wine Experience option suitable for four to six people, sipping special releases, library wines, and barrel tastings.
Included is a tour of the grounds and property and a cheese pairing. Even experience live entertainment or other festival events each week.
The 2020 Muscat Rose is charming with juicy flavors of red cherry and watermelon with floral aromas, quenching your thirst. Other wines to tease your palate include Barbera, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
The winery has captured a few awards, from the 2018 London Wine Competition to San Francisco International Wine Competition to the 2017 Maryland Governor’s Cup. David Collins, the master winemaker, carefully crafts and blends some of the finest wines.
Hours of operations are Thursday, Saturday through Monday from 11 AM to 5 PM, and Fridays from 11 AM to 9 PM. The tasting room is by appointment Thursday through Monday between 11 AM and 4 PM.
5. Black Ankle Vineyards
Visit Black Ankle Vineyards and sample their delicious wines, expressing the atmosphere and flavors of the land.
A culmination of a long-time dream, Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron believe the central Maryland Piedmont is the place to grow and make wine.
Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the vineyard offers the right combination of rocky, low-fertility soils, rolling hills, breezes, sunshine, and rain. It has become the home of some delicious and opulent wines.
Operating with the intent of sustainability, this little corner of the world produces 13 grape varieties, all estate-grown and bottled.
The list includes Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Viognier, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and a bit of Muscat.
If dessert wines tickle your palate, try the Terra Dulce VI. You’ll taste the oozing aromas and flavors of dark fruits, figs and dates, raisins, and baking spices. It also includes creamy dark chocolate, vanilla, almond, and dark brown sugar.
Stop by the tasting room by appointment only Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 12 PM to 5 PM. Fridays, from 11 AM to 8:30 PM, with live music and food trucks starting at 4 PM. Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM.
You can host private events for engagements, birthdays and parties, including weddings for a day of celebration.
6. Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards
In Southern Prince George’s County, cherish the family-owned and operated Robin Farm and Vineyards. Appreciate the rustic red barns, grazing farm animals, rolling hills and a pleasing tasting room.
Try the Russell’s Reserve, one of their finest dry reds, blending Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chambourcin. Your palate will value the bold bouquet of smoky oak and dark berry fruit with black pepper and clove notes.
All wines come from the estate, including Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Chardonel, and Viognier.
The winery has garnered a notable list of winery medals and awards, such as the American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition, Maryland’s Governor’s Cup and the New York International Wine Competition.
Visit the tasting room and winery on weekends, Saturdays from 12 PM to 6 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM. The winery hosts live music and a food truck from April to November. Ask about their barn weddings or outdoor ceremonies.
7. Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery
Spend a relaxing day at Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery, enjoying the fine wines, nature trails, picnic area, Friday night music, and seasonal events. Even though many activities happen at the vineyard, the atmosphere is calming and casual, with lush scenery and striking views.
Come by the tasting room, which is open daily, Mondays through Thursdays from 11 to 5 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 6 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Free tours of the vineyard and winery are also available at specific times on Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment during the weekdays.
The vineyard grows Norton, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, and Chambourcin grapes, thanks to their hardiness and ability to produce in the climate of Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Have your palate try the Vidal Blanc with clean, citrus flavors, ranging from lemon and grapefruit to pears and melons. Pair it with seafood, spicy Thai, Cajun foods, or Mexican.
