The picturesque rolling hills north of Baltimore provide the backdrop to Boordy Vineyards in the Piedmont Plateau of Maryland. Drop in to taste or purchase some wine or participate in a guided tour of the vineyard and cellars.
This vineyard was created during the Prohibition era by Philip and Jocelyn Wagner, who were concerned that the American wine industry was being destroyed by the alcohol ban. They planted a small grapevine and began to sell cuttings from it across the U.S. Finally, in 1945, it became a commercial winery. In 1980, the vineyard was bought by the Deford family and moved to a new site, Long Green Farm, where it still remains today.
The vineyard is spread over 16 hectares and produces over 370,000 litres of wine each year. The combination of Maryland’s temperate climate and quality soil that allows for good root penetration makes for ideal wine-producing conditions.
The best way to enjoy the vineyard is by taking a guided tour. Your experience at the vineyard will change according to the season during which you visit. You may see pruning, leaf management or harvesting. In the huge central barn set amongst a collection of 19th-century farm buildings, you may be able to see the wine-making process and find out how the three different lines of wine are created. Inevitably, the tour ends in the tasting room, where you will be able to sample the produce. There is a shop offering all of the vineyard’s current vintages as well as the Chardonnay, Shiraz and Rosé from their Landmark Series.
Boordy Vineyards is situated in Long Green Valley, Baltimore County, a 30-minute drive north east of central Baltimore. It is also easily reached from Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Annapolis. Parking is available on site.
The vineyard is closed to the public on Sunday mornings and some public holidays. Entrance is free and tours take place in the afternoons. Pre-booking is not required for groups of less than ten people.
