Changes

Of course it helps to have good  climate too. Kevin Attucks, executive director of the MWA, says, "all parts of Maryland are suited for growing grapes, albeit very different varieties. In [http://www.co.garrett.md.us Garrett County], for example, some growers are using grapes developed for cold-climates (like for Minnesota, etc). In southern Maryland, we're using heat-loving varieties originating in Southern Italy."

Of course it helps to have good  climate too. Kevin Attucks, executive director of the MWA, says, "all parts of Maryland are suited for growing grapes, albeit very different varieties. In [http://www.co.garrett.md.us Garrett County], for example, some growers are using grapes developed for cold-climates (like for Minnesota, etc). In southern Maryland, we're using heat-loving varieties originating in Southern Italy."

Wine has been cultivated in Maryland since before the Revolution, but things really got started in a commercial way when Philip Wagner, a former [http://www.baltimoresun.com Baltimore Sun] editor, opened Maryland's first bonded winery, [http://www.boordy.com Boordy Vineyards] in 1945 at his home in Ryderwood.

Wine has been cultivated in Maryland since before the American Revolution, but things really got started in a commercial way when Philip Wagner, a former [http://www.baltimoresun.com Baltimore Sun] editor, opened Maryland's first bonded winery, [http://www.boordy.com Boordy Vineyards] in 1945 at his home in Ryderwood.

   

   

Since then, some 23 wineries have come into being. They offer 450,000 bottles of wine annually, in 140 varieties ranging from award-winning Chardonnays to Cabernets, as well as French Hybrids and a variety of fruit wines.

Since then, some 23 wineries have come into being. They offer 450,000 bottles of wine annually, in 140 varieties ranging from award-winning Chardonnays to Cabernets, as well as French Hybrids and a variety of fruit wines.

The winery offers cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, and other varieties that can be enjoyed at the winery, and at various wine festivals in the area.

The winery offers cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, and other varieties that can be enjoyed at the winery, and at various wine festivals in the area.

   

   

Other Eastern Shore wineries include Little Ashby Wineries, just outside Easton, the newly opened St. Michael's Winery in St. Michael's, and Terrapin Station Winery in Elkton, opening soon.  

Other Eastern Shore wineries include [http://www.littleashbyvineyards.com/ Little Ashby Wineries], just outside [http://www.eastonmd.org/ Easton], the newly opened [http://www.st-michaels-winery.com/ St. Michael's Winery] in [http://www.stmichaelsmd.org/ St. Michael's], and [http://terrapinstationwinery.com/ Terrapin Station Winery] in [http://www.townofelkton.org/ Elkton], opening soon.  

Asked what makes the Eastern Shore such a good place for wine, Lynn Rich of Little Ashby said it was the elevation of the land which ensures a good drainage. "Grapes dont like too much moisture. Besides, we live here."  

Asked what makes the Eastern Shore such a good place for wine, Lynn Rich of Little Ashby said it was the elevation of the land which ensures a good drainage. "Grapes dont like too much moisture. Besides, we live here."  

The Richs, [Warren and Lynn], both long-term Eastern Shore residents, have operated their winery since 2001. Their  wines include "Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Super Talbot, a 2005 Spring Wine, Chardonnay 2005; and Port 2004, made with 100% petite-syrah grapes."

The Richs, [Warren and Lynn], both long-term Eastern Shore residents, have operated their winery since 2001. Their  wines include "Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Super Talbot, a 2005 Spring Wine, Chardonnay 2005; and Port 2004, made with 100% petite-syrah grapes."

   

   

The St. Michael's Winery was founded in May of 2005 by two couples living in Saint Michaels. Their icon is the Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe sailboat which once plied these waters.

The St. Michael's Winery was founded in May of 2005 by two couples living in Saint Michael's. Their icon is the Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe sailboat which once plied these waters.

Mark and Lori Emon are one half of the team that run things at the Winery. They have two silent partners.

Mark and Lori Emon are one half of the team that run things at the Winery. They have two silent partners.

As of this writing, they offer six wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, St. Michaels White (a semi sweet white wine), White Zinfandel, and Gollywobbler, a summer picnic red.  

As of this writing, they offer six wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, St. Michaels White (a semi sweet white wine), White Zinfandel, and Gollywobbler, a summer picnic red.  

Berry Wine Plantations and Linganore Wines  goes its own way in terms of wine. They offer three categories; Grape Wines, Fruit Wines and Specialty Wines, such as Medieval Mead and Tej honey wines, pronounced tedge, this is a traditional honey wine from Ethiopia.  

[http://www.linganore-wine.com/ Berry Wine Plantations and Linganore Wines] goes its own way in terms of wine. They offer three categories; Grape Wines, Fruit Wines and Specialty Wines, such as Medieval Mead and Tej honey wines, pronounced tedge, this is a traditional honey wine from Ethiopia.  

Winemaker Anthony Aellen said that their fruit wines, actually just 20 per cent of the business (120,00 gallons annually overall) , "have been produced since 1978. It's just to offer something different."  

Winemaker Anthony Aellen said that their fruit wines, actually just 20 per cent of the business (120,00 gallons annually overall) , "have been produced since 1978. It's just to offer something different."  

   

   

It might be said that Cyngus Wines in Carroll County summarizes all the state's wine in its collection. They make a selection of dry, semi-dry, and sweet table wines, plus some sparkling varieties using grapes from vineyards in Queen Anne's, Carroll, Anne Arundel, Caroline and St. Mary's Counties.

It might be said that [http://www.cygnuswinecellars.com/ CygnusWines] in Carroll County summarizes all the state's wine in its collection. They make a selection of dry, semi-dry, and sweet table wines, plus some sparkling varieties using grapes from vineyards in [http://qac.org Queen Anne's], Carroll, Anne Arundel, Caroline and St. Mary's Counties.

But those aren't the only ones, owner Ray Brasfield said. "I have used juice from New York in emergencies, and I regularly buy grapes from growers in Pennsylvania. I would prefer to use only Maryland fruit, but there isn't enough of it."  

But those aren't the only ones, owner Ray Brasfield said. "I have used juice from New York in emergencies, and I regularly buy grapes from growers in Pennsylvania. I would prefer to use only Maryland fruit, but there isn't enough of it."  

Brasfield said, "my most popular wine has always been Manchester Hall, a semi-dry white made from Vidal Blanc. I also use the following grapes; Seval, Chardonnay, Catawba, Chancellor, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Villard Noir.

Brasfield said, "my most popular wine has always been Manchester Hall, a semi-dry white made from Vidal Blanc. I also use the following grapes; Seval, Chardonnay, Catawba, Chancellor, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Villard Noir.

 

 

Solomon's Island Winery , of Lusby, MD, was founded by Ken and Ann Korando in  2002. It's located on 9.3 acres just north of Solomons Island in southern Calvert County, Maryland along Hungerford Creek.  

[http://www.solomonsislandwinery.com/ Solomon's Island Winery] , of Lusby, MD, was founded by Ken and Ann Korando in  2002. It's located on 9.3 acres just north of Solomons Island in southern [http://www.co.cal.md.us/ Calvert County], Maryland along Hungerford Creek.  

They grow some of their own grapes, supplemented by fruit produced by other growers. Varieties include premium wines like Chardonnay, White Merlot (Rose'), Sauvignon Blanc and Marytage, a Bordeaux Style blended red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  

They grow some of their own grapes, supplemented by fruit produced by other growers. Varieties include premium wines like Chardonnay, White Merlot (Rose'), Sauvignon Blanc and Marytage, a Bordeaux Style blended red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.