– Maybe you have an interest in learning more about sparkling wine or red varietals or the ins and outs of barrel aging? The Maryland Wineries Association presents the “Winemakers Series” with five different seminars taking place around the state of Maryland highlighting March as Maryland Wine Month. From the Eastern Shore to the country sides of Carroll, Frederick, Baltimore and Montgomery counties, there is something for everyone in this unique and special series. Each seminar costs $45.00 per person, goes from 1-3:30 pm or 5-7:30pm and has limited seating. For more information, call 410-252-WINE or log onto http://www.marylandwineevents.com/md-winemaker-series/.

The Maryland Wineries Association will also launch the Wine Month Challenge! Interested participants may pick up a challenge card from any local winery, from any Maryland State welcome center or by downloading it on Marylandwine.com. The card will include a list of all Maryland wineries open to the public and as participants visit wineries, they will receive stickers for their challenge card. At the end of March, participants send in their marked challenge card to the Maryland Wineries Association at 6247 Falls Rd., Suite G
Baltimore, MD 21209, for various prizes.

Below is a list of the regional “Winemaker Series” seminars:

- Date and Time: Sunday, March 5, 2017, 1-3:30 pm

Topic: EASTERN SHORE: Vines & Variety@ Crow Vineyard (12441 Vansant Corner Road, Kennedyville, MD 21645)

More Information: What’s growing in Maryland?! Explore Vidal Blanc grown from around the state & learn about the exciting red varietals growing from Western MD to the Eastern Shore.

Feature Winemakers: Catrina North, Crow Vineyard; Gary Cohen, Mazzaroth Vineyard; Roy Albin, Royal Rabbit Vineyards; William Layton, Layton’s Chance Winery & Vineyard

- Date and Time: Sunday, March 12, 2017 5-7:30pm

Topic: CARROLL COUNTY: Everything Bubbly @ Old Westminster Winery (1550 Old Westminster Rd, Westminster, MD 21157)

More Information: An in-depth look into sparkling wines and the different methods, grapes and philosophies used to create them. Sample various wines of both méthode champenoise & pétillant-natural styles.

Feature Winemakers: Lisa Hinton, Old Westminster Winery; Fred Wilson, Elk Run Vineyard; Matt Cimino, Great Shoals Winery

- Date and Time: Sunday, March 12, 2017, 1-3:30 pm

Topic: FREDERICK COUNTY: The Craft of Barrel Aging @ Linganore Winecellars (13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mt Airy, MD 21771)

More Information: Learn the ins and outs of Barrel Aging. Explore how wines change as they spend time in the barrel, about different types of oak & more! Also, get a sneak peek at what these winemakers are currently working on.

Feature Winemakers: Anthony Aellen, Linganore Winecellars; Mike Lentini, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard; Jacques van der Vyver, Chateau Bu-De Vineyard & Winery

- Date and Time: Sunday, March 19, 2017, 1-3:30 pm

Topic: MONTGOMERY COUNTY: The Mystery of the Mix @ Rocklands Farm (14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)

More Information: Learn how to blend wine from the pros! They’ll walk you through their particular blending methods & strategies for white and red blends. Also, learn how port-style wines are made!

Feature Winemakers: TJ Flemming, Rocklands Farm; Lauren Zimmerman, Port of Leonardtown Winery; Dave Collins, Big Cork Vineyards

- Date and Time: Sunday, March 26, 2017, 1-3:30 pm

Topic: BALTIMORE COUNTY: Anything But Grapes @ Millstone Cellars (2029 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111)

More Information: You know cider is made of apples and mead of honey, but what ELSE are our local makers using to make their product unique? Explore chili peppers, spices, berries, rhubarb & more!

Feature Winemakers: Curt Sherrer, Millstone Cellars; Andrzej Wilk, Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery; Linda Blades, Faulkner Branch Cidery; James Boicourt, Charm City Meadworks

About the Maryland Wineries Association

The Maryland Wineries Association is a non-profit trade organization representing Maryland's 80+ wineries. Founded in 1984, the MWA's mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland through events, education and promotion. From the Eastern Shore to mountains of Western Maryland, and south to St. Mary’s County, wine is growing throughout Maryland.

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