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Picturesque locations afford options
for outdoor recreation, memorable side trips
BALTIMORE (May 8, 2013) – Every mom deserves a bouquet. This Mother's Day, take mom to a winery and present her with the aromatic nuances – also known as the bouquet – of a glass of Maryland wine.
"Wineries tend to be located in some of Maryland's most scenic countryside," says Margot Amelia, executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. "From the mountains of Western Maryland to the Chesapeake plains, Maryland wineries provide a wide variety of delightful settings for a family adventure."
Maryland's 61 wineries and six wine trails, she says, "present plenty of options for getting familiar with Maryland wines. And, in addition to all the May winery events – including many planned for Mother's Day – this time of year ushers in a new season of wine festivals around the state."
Activity around Maryland wineries reflects a national interest in locally made wine.
The first-ever Wine Tourism Day – a day that calls attention to local wineries and the economic impact of wine-related tourism across North America – is May 11, a day before Mother's Day.
Wine Tourism Day comes several weeks after the annual Drink Local Wine (DLW) conference, held this year in Baltimore. DLW is a national advocacy group that promotes regional wines across the U.S. and Canada as part of the "local food" movement. This year's conference – which drew wine bloggers, writers and columnists from across the continent – spotlighted Maryland wine.
"We're growing a world of wine styles and varieties throughout Maryland, and we (were) excited to share them through Drink Local Wine," said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wine Association.
Maryland's 61 wineries represent a nearly 50 percent increase over the number of wineries in the state three years ago. Most of the wineries are in central Maryland's Piedmont Plateau. Additional wineries are located in the state's southern and western regions, as well as the Eastern Shore.
Here is a sampling of May wine events and festivals in Maryland, with an emphasis on celebrations for Mother's Day, May 12.
- Annapolis Wine Expo, May 11, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Anne Arundel County) – Hundreds of wines, tasting seminars and hors d'oeuvre stations await visitors during two sessions (noon to 2:30 p.m. or 3:30 to 6 p.m.). Tickets must be purchased online. Information about wine-pairing dinners at Annapolis restaurants is also available at the event web site.
- Boordy Vineyards, Hydes (Baltimore County) – Maryland's first commercial winery (founded in 1945 in Baltimore) has a Mother's Day picnic, May 11 and 12, 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are required and may be purchased online. An on-site caterer and musical entertainment complement the wine samplings. Visitors can also bring their own fare. Winery and vineyard tours are available in the afternoon, and the tasting room will be open.
- Calvert Wine and Arts Festival, Sunderland (Calvert County) – Now in its sixth year, the annual festival, May 11, is a celebration of the county's artisans and the seven wineries along Southern Maryland's Patuxent Wine Trail. It's sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Church and the Southern Maryland Folk Arts Center.
- Knob Hall Winery, Clear Spring (Washington County) – This Western Maryland winery presents a Bluegrass Festival, May 11. Gates open at 1 p.m. A 30-acre vineyard here provides grapes for a selection of estate wines. Tastings are held every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Running Hare Vineyard, Prince Frederick (Calvert County) – This Southern Maryland winery plans a special day for moms, May 12, "Mother's Day in the Vineyard." A $5 cover includes wine tasting. Tasting room is open noon to 6 p.m. Local crafters and live music are part of the event.
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Dickerson (Montgomery County) – Mother's Day festivities run May 11-12. The winery – recognized by its red barn, silo and windmill – is affiliated with Countryside Artisans, a group of creative enterprises in the area specializing in handcrafted products. Comus Inn, a destination restaurant, is nearby. Sugarloaf Mountain is a scenic place for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature walks.
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