Vineyard industry on rise in Maryland

By BRUCE HOTCHKISS
Senior Editor

WHALEYVILLE, Md. — Maryland farmers, seeking to add “something different” to their land and their production, continue to respond eagerly to the consuming public’s passion for wine.
The scenario seems to be for them take a few acres out of their traditional row crops and put in grapes.
Diversification is the name of the game if you want to add some dollars to the bottom line.
Often, the vineyard leads to an on-farm winery, but there are often off-farm wineries eager to buy and press your grapes.
According to the Maryland Wineries Association, there are now 41 wineries in the state producing more than 350 different wines and on farms across the state, there are 450 acres plant to grapes.
That is to say, there were 41 wineries in the state until last week.
No. 42, Costa Ventosa, was scheduled to hold its grand opening last Friday, July 16, here in Worcester County.
Costa Ventosa, described as “a fun spirited winery,” unveiled seven new wines. Its addition to the Chesapeake Wine Trail is indicative of how new wineries are coming on line in Maryland.
And the state added even another wine trail this month.
The Carroll County Wine Trail was launched July 7 at Galloping Goose Vineyard in Hampstead to become the fifth wine trail in the state.
The Carroll County trail also includes Cygnus Wine Cellars in Manchester and Serpent Ridge Vineyard. in Westminster.
Detour Winery and Old Westminster Winery are expected to be opening soon along the Carroll trail.
“A few years back, Carroll County made a change in zoning which allowed for wineries to be placed on agricultural properties,” said Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge. “We are very appreciative not only of the wineries themselves, but of people within the county who grow grapes for them,” Gouge noted. “This is just one more step toward preserving agriculture in Carroll County, and a positive move toward the future of economic development.”
“The opening of the fifth wine trail in Maryland represents the continued growth of farm-based tourism and the agricultural economy in Maryland,” added Mary Ellen Setting, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
“The Carroll Wine Trail will further identify Carroll County and the state as an exceptional place to grow wine grapes and make outstanding wine,” said Setting. “The benefits of grape growing and wine making are key to a smart, green and growing future for Maryland.”