We started going to vineyards when we first met and he even proposed to me in a vineyard in Texas! So far, we've hit Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois & West Virginia wineries.
We moved here to Maryland last November. The weather was chilly, traffic was hairy and we were trying to get used to our new state. Then the holiday's showed up and we were even more busy!
Now that it's March and spring has sprung (YAY!) we decided to try out some Maryland vineyards.
Last Sunday we headed out to the Frederick Wine Trail. The sun was blazing and it was a balmy 50 degrees! Our GPS - we've named "Phil" - monotonously directed us toward our first of four vineyards in the adorable little town of Mt. Airy.
The drive was scenic (as the 'scenic byway' sign had advertised) and as our truck climbed and twisted up the next hill we saw our first Maryland vineyard.
Linganore Winecellars! I was immediately attracted to their tasting room which looks like an old barn. Once inside we looked up and saw huge black walnut beams on the ceiling. Truly magnificent. The wine was very tasty. I am a semi-sweet wine lover and enjoyed their fruity wines the most. I was impressed/surprised to find they had a dandelion wine, as my grandparents used to make it and I was curious as to how it actually tasted (quite good)! They had a huge wine-list and we tried just about all of them!
Next, we went just down the road to Black Ankle Vineyards. This was my husbands favorite of the day! He is a cabernet, merlot man (dry wines) and he adored their wine list! The atmosphere at this place was my favorite - the walls are baled hay plastered over, they have a beautiful custom-rounded brick fireplace, a living roof (SO cool) and the bar top is made from their vines (you've got to see it to appreciate it)! Construction fit for a nature-lover.
Our third stop was at Loew Vineyards. This is an adorable place! We got to meet one of the owners who happily answered all of our how-to-grow-vine questions. My favorite wine here was the 'Country Classic'- even my husband liked it!!!
Lastly we stopped at Elk Run Vineyards.. We got there about 15 minutes before they closed and figured we could sneak in a few tastes before they kicked us out...The staff was very friendly and didn't seem to mind that we were there so close to closing time. The wine was truly fantastic. My husband found a port he really liked while I savored their Riesling. On our way out I stopped to take a photo of their vines - they looked bigger/older/fatter than any of the others we'd seen that day. I can't wait till all the snow is gone and they start to grow again! It will be a beautiful sight.
We had such a great time on our little Maryland wine trip now all we can think about is going back...
No comments:
Post a Comment