Ultimate Experiences Are The Perfect Holiday Gifts
There is a certain point in your life you don’t want or need another thing. Your closet is filled to the brim with hats, sweaters, scarves, and the like. So, when the one you love looks loving in your eyes and says, “what do you want for Christmas,” you draw a blank stare. You have no idea what you want! In a panic, you say, smokeless grill.
Let’s prevent this unfortunate encounter. Ask for an experience. Experiences create life long memories. Vino 301 found Ultimate Experiences to give to your favorite wine lover. Many of these activities are located in Maryland. The best part of receiving an experience is that you don’t have to find room in your closet to store it. Wait, wait, the truly best part is that you don’t have to go to the mall.
Scenic Helicopter Tour
Take your adventurous wine lover on a helicopter ride over Baltimore’s impressive skyline. It is an aerial tour of Baltimore and views the sites like Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry, and more from a bird’s eye view. Tours flight time can range from 15 minutes to 30 minutes trips. The helicopter tours companies offer package tours, which include dinner, city lights tours, and other seasonal activities. Charm City Helicopters is among the companies in Baltimore. Charm City Helicopters is offering a Groupon deal for a helicopter tour for four people.
Chesapeake Bay Sailing Cruise
Nothing says Maryland like sailing down the Chesapeake Bay. Sail on a Schooner in “America’s Sailing Capital…” Annapolis, MD. Great memories are made on the ship relaxing, helping raise the sails, or steering the boat. Schooner Woodwind (Annapolis, MD) sailing trips are a minimum of two hours. They offer sunset sails and other specialty trips.
Make Your Own Wine
Discover your inner winemaker. Make your own wine at Tin Lizzie Wineworks (Clarksville, MD). Tin Lizzie Wineworks provide everything you need to make your premium wines, from grapes to glass. There are four exciting 1-hour sessions you can craft your own personal vintage that you will enjoy for years to come. Your courses include crushing and ferment, press and barrel, tasting the new wines, and the final session bottle and label. You can purchase by the quarter, half, or full barrel. A quarter barrel makes 5 cases or 60 bottles.
Frederick Culinary Tasting Tour
Embark on a 3-hour guided walking tour and culinary adventure through historic downtown Frederick, Maryland. The Market Street Food Tour takes you through some of Frederick, Maryland’s historical and cultural gems by way of six delicious tastings from local restaurants and specialty food shops. You’ll taste local favorites, including Mediterranean-inspired artisan chocolates and locally brewed beer inspired by colonial Maryland, to name a few.
Wine Cruise
Vino 301 is cruising through old-world Europe wine country. It is a luxury wine cruise in September 2020. For seven days, you sail on Oceania Cruises, Riveria. The cruise theme is Wineries & Wonders. The trip starts in Rome, Italy and traverses along southern France and to Barcelona, Spain. It is the perfect indulgence for any food and wine lover. We will visit glamorous sites like Monaco, and view age-old vineyards in Nice.
Cooking in the City
People always gather in the kitchen. Food brings people together. Cannot think of a better way to bring friends together than taking a cooking class. The Baltimore Chef Shop (Baltimore, MD) offers classes for all ages. Baltimore Chef Shop is a one-of-a-kind teaching kitchen in the heart of vibrant Hampden, a food-lover’s haven in the city of Baltimore.
You can get gift cards from all of the experiences mentioned.
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Fa, la, la Holiday Wine Events… 24 days and more
A friend of mine posted on Facebook she is expecting out of town guests. She was asking for suggestions for activities in and around town. Thus inspiring us to write the 24 days of wine events blog post. There are so many events we could not stop at Christmas Eve. We gathered all sorts of events occurring during the entire month of December. Check out the .pdf calendar at the end of the blog. Each calendar event is linked to vineyards’ website or Facebook page.
Here are a few eye-catching events:
December 7: Legacy Wine Trail, Sip N’ Stuff -Sip your way around the Legacy Wine Trail (Gemey Vineyard, Robin Hill Farm and Vineyard, Romano Winery and Vineyard, and JaneMark Vineyard) while stuffing a holiday stocking with goodies along the way. Start at one of the four wineries, pick up a stocking, get your first stocking stuffer, and enjoy a wine tasting. Then continue to along the trail to the remaining three wineries for tastings and stocking stuffers at each.
December 8: Rivers to Canal Corridor Annual Holiday Sip & Shop – Join Crow Vineyard, Broken Spoke, and Chateau Bu-De Vineyard for the Rivers to Canal Corridor for the Annual Holiday Sip & Shop. Register to join ($19 per person), which includes tastes of wines at each location, a souvenir Rivers to Canal glass, access to the shops at each site & shuttle service between the three wineries.
December 12: Holiday Paint Night – Wine Glass Candle Holder Edition: Wine glasses aren’t just for drinking wine! Back by popular demand at the Olney Winery, we are livening up your holiday table or fireplace mantle with these ADORABLE Wine Glass Candle Holders? Better yet, why not give someone a pair of candleholders for a holiday gift, we’re sure they will put a smile on anyone’s face.
December 13: Ornament Marking Workshop – Create beautiful and unique ornaments for your tree this year at our Ornament Making Workshop! Join Linganore Winecellars on December 13 at any time between 6:00pm to 9:00pm. $35 per person, includes a glass of wine (up to $10), all supplies, and tools to paint up to 4 ornaments. They make a great gift too! Please purchase tickets in advance.
December 17: Wine Flight Night – Explore our amazing selection of wine flights at The Urban Winery by enjoying the FEATURED flight of the night!
December 18: Holiday Wine & Sign Paint Night – If you like to sip and paint, Serpent Ridge Winery has the event for you to create your very own sign! If you can sip, trace, and hold a paintbrush, you can do it! There will be a variety of holiday sign templates and paints as well as some of our other Maryland themed Signs and Wine Lover signs. $25 price includes a piece of wood about 7″x 14″, painting supplies, instruction, and a wine tasting.
December 22: Gunpowder Wine Trail Ugly T-Shirt Event – Purchase Gunpowder Wine Trail Ugly T-Shirt and receive 50% off wine tastings at each winery during the time of event!
Participating Wineries & Businesses:
• Fiore Winery & Distillery
• Mount Felix Vineyard & Winery
• Royal Rabbit Vineyards
• Harford Vineyard & Winery
• Daily Crisis Farms
Here is the calendar .pdf download version. It may take a moment to load. Thank you for your patience.
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Grateful to Witness Diversity in Wine: The Black Wine Experience
Do you remember writing, “What I did during my summer vacation” essay? This blog invokes middle school memories trying to convey an entire summer in 500 words or less. I promise to spare you every detail and only share the highlights of my amazing and transformative experience. The Swirl Suite, a weekly podcast I co-host with three extraordinary women, broadcasted live in New Orleans over the July 4th weekend. We attended the Black Wine Experience. The Black Wine Experience was a weekend of celebrating African-Americans in the wine industry. Winemakers, importers, wine brokers, distributors, and of course, media influencers gathered to recognize diversity in wine. During this season of gratitude, I am grateful to have witness diversity in wine.
Diversity is a hot topic. The craft beverage industry has not escaped this topic. The wine industry has been called out, chastised, placed on “front street” for its lack of diversity in ownership, vineyard managers, winemakers, distribution, virtually all segments. Women and black and brown people are STILL not represented in sizeable numbers. Blogs like Julia Coney, “Your wine glass ceiling is my glass box. An open letter to Karen Macneil and the wine industry” provoked an international discussion. Her blog sheds light on the plain sight disparities.
The Black Wine Experience was a platform to celebrate notable individuals. My Swirl Suite sisters and I had the honor to interview these celebrated individuals. Brenae Royal, the first and only African-American female vineyard manager, and Isiah Thomas, hall of fame basketball icon, entrepreneur, and now Champagne producer, are among individuals we interviewed.
The entire weekend was epic, and we have the audio to prove it! We talked to so many great blacks in wine. I am excited to share with you our interviews. The podcast is a two-part series.
Episode One
The first episode features Gallo Wines vineyard manager Brenae Royal; Gallo Wines diversity and marketing professional Derek Epps and winemaker Jennifer McDonald of Jenny Dawn Cellars. Jenny Dawn Cellars brought California winemaking to the mid-west. It is a new winery in Wichita, KS.
Episode Two
Episode two is so large that we created two segments. The first segment features Chris Wachira, Ph.D., and Chadwick Spell of Wachira Wines. Wachira Wines is a woman-owned winery and a culmination of the extraordinary vision and effort of Dr. Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born, Californian winemaker, distributor, importer, and exporter. Winemaker Paula Harrell of Harrell Wines is a California native who was introduced to wine while studying abroad. Isiah Thomas of Cheurlin Champagne known for his business savvy and philanthropic endeavors as much as his storied athletic career. Isiah and his wife Lynn wanted healthier, great-tasting champagne without the added sugar. He is a hands-on owner of Cheurlin Champagne.
The second segment features a wine importer and distributor Larry Boone of Lawrence Boone Selections. Lawrence Boone Selections is dedicated to finding the best biodynamic and natural wines sourced from small family owned wineries. Mohamed Morretta founding partner of LaKool Champagne. Morretta and Robert “Kool” Bell, from legendary Kool and The Gang band, are the inspiration for LaKool Champagne.
Please take a listen to the Swirl Suite shows. I think we captured the excitement and positive energy flowing through the weekend.
If you want to hear more Swirl Suite shows, you can click here.
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Generations Vineyard: Maryland’s newest vineyard
The Vino 301 Team took a day off over the summer. What does a bunch of winos do on their day off? Go wine tasting!!! The team took a trip to Leonardtown, Maryland, to Generations Vineyard, Maryland’s newest vineyard.
Generations Vineyard is truly a family affair. The vineyard is operated and owned by the Norris family. Three sisters from the Norris family started the vineyard in 2012. It is kind of funny to call them Maryland’s newest vineyard when they began in 2012. Generations started planting in 2012. This goes to show you vineyards just do not pop up. Operating a vineyard is a marathon, not a sprint. Generations Vineyard is located on Wheatleys Content Farm. Four generations call the Wheatley Content Farm home, hence the name of the Vineyard.
The Vino 301 team was warmly welcomed by Sarah, one of the Norris sisters, for our wine tasting. It was a typical hot, humid Maryland summer day, so we appreciated sitting under the tent and catching a breeze here and there. Space in the tasting room is limited, so make sure you call before your visit.
Winemakers have a “lead grape.” The lead grape is the predominant grape used in many of their wines. There isn’t a science to picking the lead grape. The lead grape is selected because the winemaker had an abundance of that varietal, the winemaker prefers working with that grape, or the moon was purple, who knows. Chardonel is Generation’s lead grape. No, auto-correct didn’t skip Chardonel. Chardonel is a French American hybrid, a cross of Seyval and Chardonnay grapes. It has clean, crisp characteristics of a Chardonnay. It is robust, like the Seyval grape, and withstands colder temperatures. Chardonel is used to make full-body white wines.
Generations flagship wine is the 2018 Estate Chardonel. Our group’s favorite wine. It is a dry white wine with notes of pears and crisp green apples. Perfect patio sipping wine. We actually shared this wine during our visit. Generations has two white wine blends round out their white wine selections. Both blends are made with Chardonel and Albariño. Albariño is showing up everywhere. 2018 Berkman’s Blend is a sweeter, semi-dry wine. Named after their grandfather. Love how they honor those laid the path for their future endeavors. The other blend is the 2018 Heirloom. Same grapes, but the Heirloom is a dry white wine style with notes of apricots and stone fruits. All of the wines are aged in stainless steel tanks.
2018 Chambourcin and 2018 Wheatleys Content are the red wine selections. Both wines have French Oak contact. They spend time aging in French Oak barrels. If you are a Chambourcin enthusiast, you will enjoy this wine. It is a mild body and rich in traditional Chambourcin flavors. The 2018 Wheatleys Content is a Petit Verdot and Chambourcin blend. Generation selects grapes that thrive in Maryland and will offer authentic favors.
The wines are reasonably priced, ranging to $17 a bottle to the mid- $20s.
The Vino 301 team had a great time and will be back. If you want to make an afternoon of wine tasting, Port of Leonardtown Winery is minutes away. Generation Vineyard is located off Route 4 on Wheatleys Content Farm. 22715 Wheatleys Content Farm Lane Leonardtown, MD Tasting room hours Fridays 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Saturdays 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm. More information www.Generationsvineyard.com
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Best Ways to Pair Wine with Cigars
Whether we are talking about a warm autumn afternoon or an elegant socializing evening, wine and cigars are some of the best matches for you to have a fantastic taste experience. We already associate cigars with elegance and class and wine is definitely considered one of the noblest and emblematic drinks in the world. Pairing the two of them is a palate-pleasing experience. Consider some guidelines to follow to ensure you enjoy this amazing taste journey.
White wine vs. Red Wine
Select likes with likes when you pair white wine with a cigar. Try a medium bodied wine, like Torrentés, Chablis or Vinho Verde with light or medium-bodied cigar. The flavors and undertones will brilliantly convey. If you like Chardonnay, select a stainless-steel aged wine. Oak barrel Chardonnay will overwhelm a light or medium bodied cigar.
Red wine, like Cabernet Franc, Meritage, and Tannat, has richer flavors and a more fuller body. Fuller bodied wines goes perfectly with medium and even medium to full-bodied cigars. A perfect match for red wine can be a H.Upmann No.2 thanks to the fact that is has a woody undertone that can complement the wine’s tannic composition and bold flavors.
Pinot Noir can be quite challenging to pair. This wine is full of personality. It often proves incredibly delicious but yet very temperamental. A good pair for this wine has to be of equal power and a full-bodied cigar from Bolivar can be the perfect match in the battle of flavors and taste for this specific wine.
Sweet vs. Dry
It is important to consider the flavor palette of the cigar. If the cigar tends to be more on the leathery or nutty side, it is better to pair it with a dry wine because they can balance each other better.
The evolution of the cigar, while it is smoked, is also significant. A drier wine that has wood, leather, earthy, and nutty undertones can sweeten the flavor of the cigar. These wine flavors will bring forward the personalities of both the cigar and the wine.
Semi-dry and sweet wines go perfectly with fruity and floral cigars. They will balance the taste of each other without displaying major differences in terms of undertones.
Old vs. New
A young wine tends to have a higher acidity, which means that it will be an excellent match for a young cigar. The best way to identify a young cigar is by looking at the wrapper. A light color indicates a short aging time, and a deep brown shows many years of aging.
Aged wine has a more intense personality when it comes to the taste. The bouquet is more diverse and the bursts of flavor are more intense. A matching cigar will have a similar personality and this is why cigars such as Maduro are an excellent match. This way the two powerful personalities will manage to compliment each other in the perfect aroma dance.
Pairing wine and cigars are exciting and delightful tasting experiences one can have thanks to the fantastic diversity of aromas and undertones.
Thank you Swiss Cuban Cigars for sharing your knowledge with us in the creation of this blog. To learn more about cigars, visit Swiss Cuban Cigars
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Moscato Love it or Leave It
National Moscato Day: Moscato Love It or Leave It
If there was ever a divisive wine, it is Moscato. People have extreme opinions about Moscato. You either love it or leave it. There isn’t a middle ground. People strong feelings center around the same issue. SUGAR. Those individuals on Team Moscato love its sweetness. They love the honeysuckle, pear and orange bloom flavors. The grape’s natural aromatics and flavors are so sweet and fruity, which influences the perception of a higher sugar level than it is actually present. Anything but Moscato Team dislikes the higher residual sugar in some Moscato. Residual sugar is grape sugars leftover in a wine after the alcoholic fermentation finishes.
Interestingly, Moscato is more significant than its sweetness. There are multiple styles of Moscato. Sparkling is a popular style in Italy. Moscato d’Asti (semi-sparkling) and Asti Spumante (sparkling) are commonly served with bbq, fish and hearty vegetable dishes.
There are drier styles. In Maryland, Xella Winery and Vineyard (Laurel Grove, MD) makes a drier Moscato. “Almost’cato is a re-imagined take on the popular Moscato style wine. This dry white wine is bold with a hint of sweet-tart and granny smith apple to accentuate the natural”, as described by Xella. It is worth a try.
credit: Xella Winery and Vineyard
Let’s join hands today and celebrate National Moscato Day. May 9 is National Moscato Day was created in 2012 by the Gallo Family Vineyards, according to NationalCalendarDay.com. Here are some facts about Moscato:
- Muscat Blanc is the grape used to make Moscato.
- Muscat Blanc is one of the oldest known variety of grapes grown in the world.
- Moscato is now the fastest growing wine on the American market, growing at a rate of 25 percent a year for the last three years, and it shows no signs of stopping. (Vinepair.com)
- HIP HOP stars like Drake, L’il Kim, has influenced the popularity of Moscato.
In observation of National Moscato Day, try a Moscato new to you. You may become a life long Team Moscato member.
Unrelenting Commitment to Quality, Robin Sagoskin
Unrelenting Commitment to Quality, Robin Sagoskin
Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
It is evident women impact the Maryland wine industry. Women influence the industry in so many aspects. Winemaker, vineyard manager, tasting room manager, and owner/operator are a few are the roles women play. If you think about it, it should not be surprise women play an active role in wine. Viticulture is the science of growing grapes which is essentially is farming. Traditionally in agrarian cultures, women are an integral part of managing and operating farms. Robin Sagoskin, Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard proprietor, speaks to this fact during our Celebrating Women in Maryland’s wine industry chat.
We discussed the prominent role women have in the wine industry like the equestrian industry. Robin’s equine roots run deep. Robin and her husband, Art, established Hidden Hills as a horse farm several years ago. It is a premier boarding facility that welcomes all equestrian disciplines in Frederick, MD. It is home to 14 horses. The vineyard overlooks the pastures and horse facilities. It is quite beautiful and a delightful escape.
It was a natural transition from horses to grapes. The worlds can be very similar according to Robin. She applied the similarities to develop and to grow the vineyard. Robin also has a talent for business and finances. She began her career in the financial sector. We discussed how wine can be intimidating, but Robin takes the challenge head-on. If she can handle a 1,000-pound horse, then the wine industry is a piece of cake. She is unafraid to say she doesn’t know and ask questions. She is naturally curious and eager to learn. Robin surrounds herself with the most knowledgeable people and a team that is equally passionate about customer service and wine. She and her team are committed to providing their customers a quality experience. This may explain why Hidden Hills has achieved success in a short period. Hidden Hills is one of Maryland’s newer vineyards in the acclaimed Linganore AVA. She attributes Hidden Hills success to her talented team.
Our chat with Robin took place in Hidden Hills tasting room. You feel at home when you enter the tasting room. Maybe it’s because Robin and Art converted a portion of their home into the winery tasting room. Or perhaps it’s because the staff is extremely welcoming and you are treated as a part of the family. So much so, Vino 301 guests never want to leave. There are subtle hints of the horse farm in the tasting room. As you watch the video, you may notice the saddle in the background.
Coming this summer, Hidden Hills is moving the tasting room to another building on the farm. Robin promises the newer and larger tasting room will be equally as inviting. She never wants to lose that feeling and quality of service. Can’t wait to visit the new location! Knowing Robin it will be just as spectacular, if not more than, as the current tasting room. Please enjoy our discussion.
We love to hear from you. Who do you know who is making an impact in Maryland’s wine industry?
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Bringing Old World Charm to Maryland, Maureen Heimbuch, Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
Bringing Old World Charm to Maryland, Maureen Heimbuch
Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
Have you ever played the game, “How many Maryland wineries you can name?” It is fun to compare notes with your friends. Boordy Vineyards and Linganore Winecellars are usually the wineries names. Thanksgiving Farms is rarely mentioned. But a winery you should know, especially if you love Bordeaux-style wines.
Thanksgiving Farm (Harwood, MD) is a hidden gem outside of Annapolis, MD. If you drive by the entrance quickly, you will miss it. It is tucked behind another farm. A striking image is unveiled once you drive beyond the neighboring farm. Lush vines and a historic home emerge. Located in Southern Anne Arundel County, the vineyard and tasting room have old world charm. Maureen and Doug Heimbuch are the proud proprietors, grape growers, and winemakers.
Operating and managing a vineyard is a second career for Maureen, like many women in Maryland’s wine industry. Her career began as an attorney in New Jersey. Her analytical and interpersonal skills developed in the legal professional easily transferred to her burgeoning winemaking career.
While Maureen leaves most of the winemaking tasks to Doug, she is a significant contributor to their end product. From the very beginning, they decided they were making traditional Bordeaux-style wines. Maureen discusses how she was influenced by old world French wines. Thanksgiving Farm grows noble grapes such as Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. They are known for their Meritage vintages. Meritage is a term used to identify American handcrafted wines blended from the traditional “noble” Bordeaux varietals. She expresses her desire to bring that history and quality winemaking to Maryland.
We also discuss Thanksgiving Farm notable Franc Blanc and what was the impetus. Franc Blanc is a white Cabernet Franc wine. Cabernet Franc is traditionally a red wine. They decided to try making it as a white wine because they were not making white whites. Franc Blanc was a surprising success.
Our chat with Maureen took place in Thanksgiving Farm’s tasting room. Thanksgiving Farm tasting room is one of the most stately tasting room I have ever visited. The mahogany panel walls remind me of a formal parlor or sitting room. Although the tasting room is well appointed, it is not stodgy. It is an inviting and intimate setting. It is like the television show Cheers, “everyone knows your name.” When you visit once, you will never be forgotten. You will always be greeted by name. Thanksgiving Farm’s tasting room is an extension of Maureen’s and Doug’s home. They want you to feel as welcome in the tasting room as you would in their home. Please enjoy our discussion.
Stay tuned for more videos in March. We love to hear from you. Who do you know who is making an impact in Maryland’s wine industry?
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Influencing the Business, Janna Howley Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
Influencing the Business, Janna Howley
Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
Have you ever attended a Maryland wine festival? Have you ever read an article about legislative changes in the beer industry? Have you ever sought information about starting your own vineyard? If you answered yes to any of these questions, more than likely you interacted with Grow and Fortify. Grow and Fortify is the back office, advocates and event managers for Maryland’s agricultural producers, startups, operators and growers. They represent and support several non-profit organizations, like the Maryland Wine Association. In plain English, Grow and Fortify help craft beverage business owners thrive so that businesses can focus on producing great beer, wine, and spirits we love to enjoy. Janna Howley is the Chief Operating Officer, COO, for Grow and Fortify. She is the business behind the business.
Janna and I first met years ago when she worked for the University of Maryland Extension. I was in search of agri-tourism resources. Agri-tourism was relatively new back then. It was novel. Not a lot of people understood it or knew anything about it. Janna recognized the potential and value of bringing people to Maryland’s farms like Maryland’s vineyards. Vineyards are working farms. People sometimes forgot that fact. During her time with the Extension program, Janna positively influenced the public’s perception that farming is exciting and fun.
Fast forward to today, Janna influences on a larger scale. Her, along with the team connect agricultural producers to organizations and resources which assist operators and growers develop their businesses. This is not just a job for Janna. She speaks with enthusiasm about the services her organization provides. It is infectious. Partially, we talked about the seminars they host for potential, dreamy-eyed growers. The support available to startups is inspiring. Within minutes of our conversations, I wanted to go out and buy a tractor, vines, and start growing grapes. But seriously, the support Grow and Fortify offers has had a positive impact on the wine industry and, may attribute to some of the growth in the industry.
Our chat with Janna took place in her kitchen. It felt like I was catching up with a good girlfriend. Thanks for making me feel so comfortable, especially since I had production issues and annoyed with myself. I have to apologize for the video quality. You’ll notice Janna, and I go in and out of frame. My usual camera did not have sufficient memory. So, I used my camera phone as a backup. A very friendly Target salesperson later told me I did not insert the correct memory card. Ughhh… Thank you, Janna, for being a good sport and putting me at ease. You are awesome! Please enjoy our discussion.
Stay tuned for more videos in March. We love to hear from you. Who do you know who is making an impact in Maryland’s wine industry?
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Make A Way, Jo-Ann Romano, Romano Vineyard and Winery
Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry
Make A Way Jo-Ann Romano, Romano Vineyard and Winery
When I was Howard University graduate student, I learned several invaluable lessons. The lesson which stuck with me the most was Make A Way. When there is not a way make a way. Sometimes you have a dream that has never been realized by anyone. No precedent. No one can conceptualize your vision. You have to forge your own path to make your dream your reality. This is exactly what Jo-Ann and Joe Romano did. They are the owners of Romano Vineyard and Winery (Brandywine, MD). Romano Vineyard and Winery is the first commercially operated winery in Prince George’s county.
During our Vino 301’s Celebrating Women in Maryland’s Wine Industry chat, Jo-Ann discussed how the vineyard became a reality. Prior to the winery’s opening, zoning regulations and laws did not exist allowing a winery to operate in Prince George’s county. Unintended, the Romanos became visionaries when they pursued their dream. They convinced others to share their dream and the possibilities. They worked with elected officials, the Maryland Grape Growers Association, the Maryland Wine Association and other organizations to help rally their cause. The Maryland Grape Growers and the Maryland Wine Association are tremendous resources. Almost all of the women I spoke with often referenced these organizations. These groups helped them develop their businesses and provided educational assistance.
Eventually public policy was codified for wineries to operate in the County. Amazingly, this was less than 10 years ago. Now there are three other wineries in Brandywine. The wineries formed a wine trail, known as the Legacy Wine Trail. Jo-Ann could not have imagined their dream would lead to these incredible events. She is truly a trailblaze. Thanks for bringing wine to my favorite County.
There is an old saying, “good wine starts with good grapes.” Jo-Ann is responsible for the good grapes. She is the vineyard manager. The vineyard manager is responsible for maintaining the vineyard to produce a healthy and abundant grape harvest. She loves it. Notice how her face lights up when she talks about it. Jo-Ann spends a lot of time in the vineyard. Oh, by the way, she still has a full-time job. Can you imagine? She works all day at the office and in the evenings, she works in the vineyard. I assume, Jo-Ann’s vineyard chores are not considered work to her. It is a labor of love.
Our chat with Jo-Ann took place at Romano Vineyard and Winery. Fortunately, the March weather cooperated and we were able to sit near the vineyard for our visit. Please enjoy our chat.
Stay tuned for more videos in March. We love to hear from you. Who do you know who is making an impact in Maryland’s wine industry?
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