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Five Ways to Enjoy Maryland Wine Month in Washington County
March is Maryland Wine Month and Washington County happens to be the best place in the state to grow grapes, according to Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. The county’s fertile soil, groundwater and climate are all conducive to growing grapes for winemaking. Here are five ways to enjoy Maryland Wine Month in Washington County this March:
1. Visit A Winery
Washington County is home to award-winning wineries. Each one is unique with characteristics that make it special. Big Cork Vineyards, Knob Hall Winery and Red Heifer Winery are more traditional wineries with tasting rooms and beautiful views with grapes growing right on the property. Blue Mountain Wine Crafters, located in historic downtown Funkstown, is a boutique winery and tasting room that also offers wine making classes. Olney Winery at Stone House Square sources its grape product from suppliers and vineyards all over the world and has a beautiful tasting room in Hagerstown.
Be sure to take part in the Maryland Wine Month Challenge when visiting local wineries this month! Pick up a Maryland Wine Month Challenge card at a local winery, welcome center or download now. Get your card stamped at each Maryland winery you visit. The more stamps you get, the better the prizes!
2. Attend a Maryland Wine Month Event
All Washington County wineries have a great lineup of special events throughout the year, but especially for Maryland Wine Month. Blue Mountain Wine Crafters starts off the month with a Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairing, March 1-4. Big Cork Vineyards has a great lineup of musicians planned for Saturdays and Sundays in March. Click here for a complete lineup of Maryland Wine Month events.
3. Explore the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail
Maryland Wine Trails are self-guided which means they’re a great way to explore at your own pace. Spend a day or several leisurely strolling the beautiful countryside and exploring stops on the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail. The trail includes many other attractions including the world-renowned Antietam National Battlefield and several other Civil War sites. This area has five national parks, 10 state parks, and more than 30 museums. It is recommended for all the Maryland Wine Trails that you call ahead or visit winery pages for details, including hours of operation and activities.
4. Book a Tour
The best way to really enjoy a day visiting local wineries is to sit back, relax and leave the driving up to someone else. There are several options for that here in Washington County. Roadrunner Services offers Antietam Highlands Wine Trail Guided Tours and Transportation. Pinot, Spirits, and Parties offers sedan service to local wineries, perfect for a girls night out, bachelorette parties and more.
River & Trail Outfitters offers specialty packages like Water to Wine: Kayak to Big Cork those who would also like time to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to check out the Food and Drink Tours section of their website for complete details.
5. Reserve Your Ticket for Interstate Wine Fest 2018
Interstate Wine Fest is held annually in Washington County at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. This will be the fifth year for the wine festival, which features 15 wineries and more than 100 wines from across the state of Maryland. Live music entertainment is provided throughout the day and a wide variety of local vendors are on hand selling everything from food to handcrafted items. Tickets for Interstate Wine Fest 2018 go on sale March 1.
