Maryland Wineries

Basignani Winery was originally opened to the public in 1986 by Lynne and Bert Basignani, who had spent years as championship amateur winemakers in the Maryland region. Today, the Sparks Glencoe winery produces more than 6,500 gallons of wine per year, specializing in unfiltered wines crafted from grapes grown within Hunt Valley's horse country region. Visitors can tour the company's winery operations or taste wines at its public tasting room facility, which is open to the public afternoons between Wednesdays and Sundays. Tastings sample up to six five-ounce pours of the company's premium wines, including signature wines such as the winery's Sinistra Port wine, Piccolo Cabernet blend, and Marisa Dolce semi-sweet red blend. Brick-oven pizzas are served on Friday Cafe Nights, which showcase live music performances.

15722 Falls Rd, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152, Phone: 410-472-0703

Big Cork Vineyards is one of Maryland's most acclaimed wineries, winning major best in show industry awards such as the Maryland Governor's Cup, the Maryland Winemaster's Cup, and the Jack Aellen Cup. The winery, which is owned and operated by vintner Dave Collins, offers tastings and tours at its 10,000-square-foot facility in Rohrersville, which showcases a 25-foot ADA-accessible tasting bar and a seasonal outdoor patio. Guests can sample flights of six of the company's wines of their choice, including selections such as the company's award-winning raspberry-based Black Cap Port and Twisted Franc wines. A grab-and-go food market showcases locally-sourced cheese, breads, and charcuteries, while food trucks parked on site on Friday nights serve up some of the region's best cuisine options. Overnight accommodations are offered in the winery's four-bedroom estate resort, which is home to amenities such as a billiard and game room and communal wraparound porches.

4236 Main St, Rohrersville, MD 21779, Phone: 301-302-8032

Black Ankle Vineyards was opened for business in 2008, founded by partners Sarah O'Herron and Ed Boyce. The Mt. Airy winery, which is located on the beautiful rolling hill landscape of central Maryland, is committed to sustainable growing practices, using locally-made compost as fertilizers and forgoing the use of herbicides and most pesticides. A solar-powered and geothermal-heated tasting room is open to the public on weekend afternoons, with guided walking tours also available at select times, lasting approximately 45 minutes. All tasting opportunities sample four of the company's delicious wines, including red, white, and sparkling variants. Live music performances are showcased on Friday evenings, with Ride Smart Maryland-sponsored Lyft rides available to ensure all visitors have safe rides home after tastings.

14463 Black Ankle Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-3338

Boordy Vineyards was Maryland's first winery at its opening in 1945, located within northeastern Baltimore County's Long Green Valley within a 19th-century fieldstone barn. The winery, which is overseen by Rob and Julie Deford and their son Phineas, is the perfect option for a winery day trip from Baltimore, Annapolis, or Washington, D.C., open to the public year-round. Guests can enjoy wine cellar guided tours and wine tastings throughout the week, showcasing the company's Landmark Series and Chesapeake Icons wine lines. All current vintages are sold at the winery's wine shop, with discounts offered for wine club members. Special events offered throughout the year include Saturday evening live music performances and Thursday evening farmer's markets throughout the summer months.

12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082, Phone: 410-592-5015

Bordeleau Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1999 by Thomas R. Shelton, housed on a beautiful farm property in Eden, Maryland overlooking the picturesque Wicomico Creek. Wicomico County's first licensed vineyard, which is named for a French word meaning "edge of the water," specializes in a dozen varieties of Bordeaux-style grape crops grown on 13 acres. Award-winning varietals focus on classic wine styles, including high-quality Cabernet Francs, Malbecs, Petit Verdots, and Merlots. A tasting room offers an intimate bar space and seasonal outdoor patio, with wine flights and pours offered for guests ages 21 and older. Special events throughout the year include wine club events, Yoga in the Vineyards sessions, and live music performances.

3155 Noble Farm Rd, Eden, MD 21822, Phone: 410-677-3334

Wineries for a First Date

Broken Spoke Winery is a lovely boutique winery owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Rob and Thea Hall, originally opened for business in 2017. The winery, which is located along Maryland's Chesapeake Wine Trail near the Rivers to Canal Wine Corridor, is located on the Hall family's pony farm grounds, which are also overseen by the couple's daughter Maggi. Winery visitors can sample a plethora of delicious traditional wines at the company's public tasting room facility, which is open to guests of all ages. Wine flights and pours are served up Tuesdays through Sundays throughout the year. Well-behaved pets are permitted at the facility during the summer season.

942 Glebe Rd, Earleville, MD 21919, Phone: 302-547-6022

Catoctin Breeze Vineyard has been voted as Frederick's best winery for 2019 by Frederick Magazine, noted for its handcrafted boutique and blend wines. The vineyards, which were founded in 2012, have received major best in show awards at competitions such as the Maryland Governor's Cup. Extensive selections of red and white wines are cultivated at the winery, along with high-quality meads produced with 100% American honey and aged in oak barrels. Wine tasting flights are offered throughout the week, including specialty sweet wine tastings. Food trucks are parked on site at the winery each Friday night between May and September, showcasing the best of the area's culinary scene. Tours are also offered Mondays through Fridays in season, exploring winery operations in detail.

15010 Roddy Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 240-578-3831

Crow Vineyard and Winery is located an easy day trip away from some of the East Coast's biggest cities and tourist destinations, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The high-quality winery, which is a wine trail stop within Maryland's Eastern Shore wine region, is located near Chestertown's historic downtown district on the 365-acre family farm of husband-and-wife duo Roy and Judy Crow. 12 acres are dedicated to cultivating grapes for classic Chardonnays, Merlots, reserve blends, sparkling wines, and dessert and sweet wines. Visitors can taste wines year-round at the winery's public tasting room, which also houses farm-to-table dinners with a renovated milking barn building. Overnight accommodations are offered at the winery's lovely bed and breakfast facility.

12441 Vansant Corner Rd, Kennedyville, MD 21645, Phone: 302-304-0551