The wine scene is ever evolving. These days, consumers are not just seeking out wines from traditional regions like California, France, and Italy. Instead, many are interested in lesser-known areas that offer a hyper-local experience with wines as unique as the land they come from. Emerging wine regions like Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and the now-thriving Finger Lakes have shown that consumers are open to expanding their horizons while building collections.

Maryland can, and should, be added to the list. The state, traditionally known for its crab cakes and maritime heritage, is now also home to some excellent vineyards. “We're getting greater visibility with increased wine tourism,” said Janna Howley, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “More consumers are interested in exploring the entire wine world and are curious about lesser-known regions—like Maryland.”

Diverse Geography and Improved Winemaking Practices

Maryland’s climate can be challenging. Summers are usually hot and humid, and fall is typically the rainy season due to lingering southeastern hurricane weather. But there is an upside. 

The long growing season gives grapes more time to develop complexity while sustaining acidity, and diverse soils help create lively, nuanced wines. Yes, there are challenges, but when vineyards are carefully managed and adapted to the weather, the wines are well-balanced.

“Maryland has wide diversity, beginning with geography as well as a focus on disease-resistant varieties with thick skins,” said Paige Post Bindel, sommelier at Pebble Beach Resorts and member of the USA Wine Tasting Team 2024 and 2025. “There is also a unique innovation in Maryland with unexpected varieties from Europe and aromatic whites.”

The area's diverse geography and topography allow for different varietals of grapes to be grown. So each region in the state offers its own unique wines to explore. “It's exciting to see the growth of more unfamiliar wine areas like Maryland,” said Stefani Jackenthal, wine journalist, consultant, and author of Wanderlust Wining. “Over the years, vineyard managers and winemakers have figured out what varietals will flourish in the climate and soil.” 

Now that winemaking practices are improving, Maryland is delivering sweet, dry, and even sparkling wines, with Cabernet Franc and Albariño leading the pack along with a few surprise guest stars like the French-American hybrids Chambourcin and Traminette.

There are currently over 100 licensed wineries in Maryland, giving you plenty of options to choose from. These producers are just a handful of what you'll find there, but they will help get you started on your journey into Maryland wine. 

Wineries to Begin Building Your Maryland Collection

Black Ankle Vineyards 
Wine enthusiasts Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron founded Black Angle Vineyards in 2008 after leaving their consulting jobs behind to fulfill their dreams of producing wine. All of the grapes used in the wines are estate-grown on the vineyard’s farms in Mount Airy and Clarksburg, and are harvested all by hand.

The Bordeaux-style blend Crumbling Rock is a bold, dry red with dark fruit notes and spice that’s perfect for aging. The Italian-inspired Passeggiata is a bright, fruit-forward red with soft tannins that pair well with food and can be enjoyed straight away.

Made using the classic Champagne method, Malintzi Sparkling Wine is crisp and elegant, with fine bubbles and hints of apple that make it ideal for a celebratory toast. 

Linganore Winecellars
Jack and Lucille Aellen opened Linganore Winecellars in 1976. Two years later, they introduced the first semi-sweet grape wines in Maryland. Their children have since taken over operations and now focus on delivering sweeter varietals grown using the most sustainable methods whenever possible.

The majority of grapes are grown on their farm, but some are purchased within roughly 100 miles of the East Coast. They recently purchased another farm and planted five acres of no-spray and low-spray varietals from Germany and Italy, an attempt to minimize environmental impact.

“We started with dry wines, but are now well-known for our sweet and fruit wines,” said Melissa Aellen, director of winery operations at Linganore. “We actually make wine from 100 percent fruit, so not only do we have grape wines, but we also have raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry.”

The Aria is a classic sweet wine, with heavy floral aromas and fruity, citrus notes. It recently took home the Double Gold medal and Best in Class - White Blend at the 2025 Maryland Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.

In 2024, Aellen launched its sister company, Simple Theory, with her cousin, which grows all of its own grapes and is already gaining rave reviews for its Barbera.

Old Westminster Winery
Old Westminster Winery was founded by three siblings who hand-planted 7,600 grapevines on an unused family juniper nursery—it would later become Maryland’s first winery with a licensed outdoor kitchen.

Today, Lisa Hinton is Old Westminster’s winemaker and Ashli Johnson is in charge of operations. Drew Baker tends to 134 acres and 50,000 vines between the winery and its second location, Burnt Hill Farms, which features a fine dining restaurant located above the estate vineyard. 

Burnt Hills Farm is an estate project, so 100 percent of its wines are made from grapes grown exclusively on the farm. Old Westminster Winery uses grapes grown throughout Maryland, leaning heavily into single-vineyard expressions of specific grape varieties from different soils and elevations to showcase all the state has to offer.

“By sourcing from a number of other vineyards, we get to tell the story of so many unique sites,” said Baker. “We let those conditions and varieties determine the style, rather than imprint some predetermined plan onto them.”

The Cabernet Franc combines scents of blackberry and cedar with a bitter mix of dark chocolate and vanilla on the palate. The Honey is a unique white wine, sweetened with local wildflower honey. Expect a nose full of grassy honeycomb aromas, followed by a fresh tropical taste. 

Boordy Wines
Broody Wines has been around since 1945, making it the oldest winery in Maryland. Originally founded by Baltimore residents Philip and Jocelyn Wagner, the winery is now run by the Deford family, who operate the longstanding farm in the Long Green Valley and its second location, South Mountain Vineyard.

While the winery enjoys testing wines in an experimental plot in Frederick County that includes 25 varietals, it focuses mainly on dry wines and a red Bordeaux blend.

The Albariño in the Landmark Series is a stunner, made from Spanish grapes sourced from its South Mountain Vineyard, resulting in a zesty, bright, and slightly floral wine. 

The full-bodied Merlot Dry Bench Reserve is also quite good. This wine is made from grapes hand-selected from rocky soil that produce highly concentrated flavors, and aged 17 months in French oak barrels.