The Top Wineries in Maryland

Although its neighbor Virginia is widely known for wine production, Maryland has more than 100 wineries throughout the state, with an ideal climate for growing Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, and Cabernet Franc grapes. Many Maryland wineries are set in stunning settings—offering the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day of sipping wine in the countryside—and host visitors for tastings and tours. The state is also home to several wine trails, including First Landing Wine Trail, Chesapeake Wine Trail, Piedmont Wine Trail, and Antietam Highlands Wine Trail.

With so many options to choose from, we've rounded up the top 11 wineries in the state of Maryland.

01 of 11

Old Westminster Winery

Address

1550 Old Westminster Rd, Westminster, MD 21157-6717, USA

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Phone +1 410-881-4656

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One of Maryland’s most respected wineries, Old Westminster is run by a group of three siblings: farmer Drew Baker, head winemaker Lisa Hinton, and general manager Ashli Johnson. Known for its pét-nats and Cabernet Franc, the winery also introduced low-ABV piquettes and canned wine last year, and has also started growing Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes. Located in Carroll County, about 40 miles northwest of Baltimore, the winery itself is situated among rolling hills and has a cozy tasting room that also serves pizza. In the summer, check out the Can Stand with snacks, drinks, and picnic blankets to lounge on outside.

02 of 11

Big Cork Vineyards

Address

4236 Main St, Rohrersville, MD 21779, USA

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Phone +1 301-302-8032

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Started by a Virginia winemaker who planted the first 22 acres of grapes in 2011, Big Cork has won countless awards since. Its Petit Vardot and Cabernet Franc, both award-winners, are must-sips, and their Syrah Rose, Nebbiolo, and Sauvignon Blanc are also worth drinking. They produce several ice wines and a port made with raspberries as well. Visit on a weekend for live music and outdoor tables with grab-and-go food and bottles, or book a wine tasting inside their state-of-the-art tasting room (Reserve the BIG Wine Experience for a tasting with six wines from their special release and library wines, barrel tastings, cheese pairings, and a tour of the property.)

03 of 11

Boordy Vineyards

Address

12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082-9541, USA

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Phone +1 410-592-5015

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Owned by the Deford family since 1980, Boordy Vineyards, Maryland’s oldest winery, has been around since 1945. The Defords, who currently have four generations working on the vineyard, can trace their roots on their farm in the Long Green Valley of Baltimore County to 1725—and that’s where the winery is located today. Boordy is known for its award-winning Albarinos, but its more affordable Chesapeake Icons line includes the popular Boordy Blush. Visitors can drop by all week long, but on weekends there’s live music and food trucks, with walk-in seating outdoors and tables available in the Boordy Barn and the Patio Tent by reservation only.

04 of 11

Black Ankle Vineyards

Address

14463 Black Ankle Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771-9121, USA

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Phone +1 301-829-3338

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This sprawling Mt. Airy winery has four outdoor areas to enjoy your wine: the courtyard near the tasting room; the patio and terrace with views of the vineyard; and the dog-friendly lawn, where guests can borrow a blanket. Open since 2008 and family owned, Black Ankle wines are all estate grown. Featured wines include Gruner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Syrah, and various blends.

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05 of 11

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Address

18125 Comus Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842, USA

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Phone +1 301-605-0130

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Nestled at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain near the Virginia border, about 40 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., this vineyard’s unique microclimate allows owner Emily Yang and winemaker Manolo Gomez to produce premium, award-winning wines. Opened in 2006, the 22-acre winery focuses on French vinifera and grows five red and five white grape varietals. The winery is open daily, and typically does tours and tastings. Visitors can purchase bottles to drink outside; BYO corkscrew and glassware.

06 of 11

Elk Run Vineyards and Winery

Address

15113 Liberty Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, USA

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Phone +1 410-775-2513

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Established in 1979, Elk Run was the first all-vinifera vineyard in Maryland. Elk Run grows several varieties of grapes—including Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon—on a historic property that features a Colonial-era tavern with deeds dating back to the 1700s. Located between Baltimore and Hagerstown in charming Mt. Airy, Elk Run has won many awards through the years and is an idyllic place to enjoy a few glasses of premium wine. Tastings include sips from six wines, and they also offer wine flights of three or six glasses. There are picnic tables and tents on the grounds year-round, while spring to fall brings live music on the weekends.

07 of 11

Basignani Winery

Address

15722 Falls Rd, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152, USA

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Phone +1 410-472-0703

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Just north of Baltimore in Glencoe, Maryland is Basignani Winery, which has been producing wine since 1986. Started by Bertero Basignani who emigrated from Italy in the 1970s, Basignani’s award-winning bottles include Chardonnay, their Elena Rose, and various Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends. Warm weekends bring live music and pizza outdoors, and there’s an indoor tasting room.

08 of 11

Linganore Winecellars

Address

13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, USA

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Phone +1 301-831-5889

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Aside from classic bottles like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and its award-winning Terrapin (a white wine blend of Melody and Vidal Blanc grapes), this winery is known for its sweet blends, mead, and fruit wines made from berries, peaches, and apples. Family run in Mt. Airy since 1976, the winery offers various tours and tastings, including a private guided tour and tasting with unreleased wines and keepsake glasses. In the winter, reserve an outdoor propane fire table on the lawn; BYO chairs.

Continue to 9 of 11 below.

09 of 11

Blue Elk Vineyard

Address

88 Rivers Edge Rd, North East, MD 21901, USA

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Phone +1 443-674-8800

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Opened in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, this winery is located on a historic site, Bohemia Overlook. During the Revolutionary War, the British landed here to invade North East and Elkton, Marlyand. The stunning waterfront setting is about an hour north of Baltimore, with the grapes growing on a hillside along the Elk River shore. The tasting room is in a refurbished horse barn; upstairs is an open space that hosts live music on weekends.

10 of 11

Crow Vineyard & Winery

Address

12441 Vansant Corner Rd, Kennedyville, MD 21645, USA

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Phone +1 302-304-0551

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A third-generation 365-acre farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that produces Angus beef, soy, and corn, Crow Vineyard & Winery started growing grapes and producing wine in 2012. The picturesque farm has a state-of-the-art tasting room and if you want to spend the night, there’s a bed and breakfast on the property. Their Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Barbera, Sparkling Vidal Blanc, and more have won more than two-dozen awards through the years. Visitors can watch the cows graze as they sip their wine, or join in on farm-to-table events like oyster pairings and meals made with their top-quality beef (which you can also buy to cook at home).

11 of 11

Stone House Urban Winery

Address

12810 Shank Farm Way, Hagerstown, MD 21742, USA

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Phone +1 240-513-4565

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Housed in a historic Hagerstown home from the 1700s, Stone House Urban Winery is owned by two women who use grapes from around the world to make wine. Open five days a week, the tasting room offers wine flights and wines by the glass or bottle. Varietals include a Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Malbec, and eight different fruit wines—think peach Chardonnay and watermelon white Merlot. But the best part about Stone House might be Soda the Pup, the brindle boxer dog belonging to co-owner Lori Yata who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, started delivering wine to curbside customers with a saddle on his back to carry the bottles.