For this weekend trip, we focused on the Chesapeake Wine Trail that combines wines grown specifically to pair with Maryland’s unique seafood bounty with unforgettable views and the warm, welcoming spirit of the Eastern Shore. We drove straight to Chateau Bu-De Vineyard and Winery, located on 440 acres on scenic Route 213 (also known as “Augustine Herrman Highway”) in Chesapeake City, Maryland. The vineyard is on Bohemia Manor Farm where they strive to produce the finest Maryland wines, while staying true to the terrain & a sustainable, innovative process of winemaking.
This historic property was once owned by Augustine Herrman, a Bohemian explorer, merchant & cartographer who produced a map of the Chesapeake Bay & Delaware Bay in exchange for permission to establish a plantation–the current site of the vineyard & winery.
They produce the highest quality wines using old world methods and new world techniques in a state of the art facility. Tastings were not available so we ordered a few bottles to try. We loved the Sauvignon Blanc, Augustine Herrman Rosé, and gold-winning Cabernet Franc and enjoyed the spectacular view of vines and Bohemia River.
Crow Vineyards and Winery in Kennedyville is a state of the art winery that aims to conserve and preserve this third generation farm. Crow Vineyards produces new world style wines. Great care, pride, and personal attention is taken during growing, harvesting, vinification, and aging. We received a complimentary tasting of Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, and Barbera with our Maryland Wine Pass. We also ordered a flight of rosé and reds. We ended up purchasing the 2019 Babera Rosé, 2017 Cabernet Franc, and the Crow Club Select to take home. For $10 extra, I got the other two trial blends from the club blend. I thought it would be cool to do my own blind tasting at home, to see if I would have chosen the same winner to bottle for sales.
Casa Carmen Wines is a boutique family winery that produces artisanal crafted Old World-style wines of uncompromising quality. They are not allowing visitors to the winery itself, but have a little shop and restaurant in historic Chestertown. We finished our wine tour here for an early dinner of tapas with their Spanish-style wine. We purchased a bottle of the 2018 Blanco and 2018 Duende to take home.
We stayed in Rock Hall at the Inn at Huntingfield Creek in a charming private cottage that was peaceful and yet a good middle point to drive and explore these wineries. The property has acres of land along an inlet that opens to the Chesapeake Bay, with kayaks and bicycles available for guests to use. Though we did not have the full country breakfast (as part of the bed & breakfast) due to the pandemic, we were given vouchers for breakfast at the nearby town's coffee house.
Separate from this trip, earlier this Summer we took a day trip to the Frederick Wine Trail, which meanders through Civil War battlefields and stopped for a late lunch in downtown Frederick with its funky arts culture. This wine trail explores the spirit of this fantastic region that first made Frederick a nexus for the craft brewing revolution, and now makes it fertile ground for the new Maryland wine movement.
As we returned home to DC, we stopped at another winery, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, along the Capital Wine Trail. They have plenty of outdoor seating with live music, which was perfect for social distancing.
We first stopped at Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard whose cute motto, "wines, vines, and equines" was fun and approachable, just like the grounds. The varietals planted in this woman-owned vineyard have been carefully selected, staying true to the micro-climate as well as the region. Highlights include Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Albariño, and Traminette - my favorite wine was the Cremello 2018 (Sauvignon Blanc blend) and Challedon 2018 (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Syrah blend).
No tastings were offered due to the pandemic, so we made our own by ordering a few glasses and paired it with Herb Colbert cheese supplied by nearby sheep-milking dairy farm, Shepherds Manor Creamery.
Wine slushies were also available (which was perfect for the July heat when we visited).
This trail is closest to DC and offers stunningly complex reds, vibrant whites, unique meads, ciders and fruit wines nestled into a bucolic countryside that feels like stepping back in time.
Have you visited Maryland wineries? Please share your favorites in the comments below!
