As part of our #BuyLocalMD series this holiday season, MDBIZ News hopes to inspire you to explore the small businesses in your own community.
When you buy from a Maryland winery or brewery, you support a local business while getting a full taste of what the State has to offer. From the western mountains to the Atlantic seashore, each local product is seasoned with Maryland flavor. Hear from some of Maryland’s finest beverage connoisseurs on how they give back to the community.
Deep Creek Cellars
Garrett County
Owned by husband and wife team Paul Roberts and Nadine Grabania, this Friendsville winery focuses on “natural wine-making” by using sustainable farming practices. Additionally, Deep Creek Cellars is known as one of the few Pinot Noir specialists among Mid-Atlantic wineries.
“Local wine, like locally-produced food, is one of the most personal gifts one can give. Wine reflects its season and, like a favorite song, helps us remember an important moment or event,” said Paul Roberts. “When customers select Deep Creek Cellars’ Pinot Noir at a neighborhood wine retailer in Maryland, they’re not only getting a wine from the world’s most sought-after grape variety, but also a little piece of the winemaker’s personality—plus, an imprint of the exact place and time those grapes ripened.”
Running Hare Vineyard
Calvert County
With a Tuscan-styled event villa and a craft beer garden on site, this Prince Frederick winery has quickly become the premier destination for Southern Maryland. Running Hare’s close proximity to Washington DC, Virginia, and other Maryland counties creates the perfect afternoon getaway.
“We like to think of Running Hare Vineyard as a little bit of Tuscany and Napa in Southern Maryland! We have live, local musicians every weekend and we often invite local vendors to come and sell their food or crafts at the vineyard. It gives the feel of having our own little wine festival right on the property,” said Kim Owen of Running Hare Vineyard. “During wedding season, the local hotels and restaurants get a lot of business from the out of town guests who are coming to the county for weddings. We always encourage using local businesses and vendors to all of our wedding couples.”
Linganore Winecellars
Frederick County
This family-run winery and vineyard proves its dedication to customers by being open to visitors 361 days out of the year. The 230-acre facility is operated completely by wind-power and currently produces more than 30 wines. Interesting fact: Linganore held Maryland’s first wine festival back in 1977.
“Linganore Winecellars is proud to be Maryland’s favorite local winery. When you drink local, it supports our efforts to buy local. Buying locally-grown fruit, food products, merchandise, and using local companies for ticketing, graphic design, and printing all translate into less pollution because they do not have to travel far to get to us,” said Anthony Aellen, President and Executive Winemaker. “We are a green business and part of being green involves minimizing our carbon footprint. Buying local also helps support small businesses and creates jobs within our local community, helping everyone in the long run.”
<em>Discover Maryland wineries close to your community.</em>
Jailbreak Brewing Company
Howard County
Once legislation passed allowing breweries to produce in Howard County, Jailbreak was the first to arrive on the scene. With its convenient location in Laurel, this microbrewery is central to much of Maryland—making its products perfectly fresh by the time they reach consumers.
"We are a Maryland company that tries to do our best to promote the State in all that we do, as evidenced by the beer label for ‘Welcome to Scoville’ (check out the pepper’s knapsack) and by the silhouette of Maryland that makes up the ‘teeth’ of our key logo,” said Kasey Turner, Founder and COO of Jailbreak. “We have created manufacturing jobs right here in Howard County—we employ 19 people and we all live in Maryland. We also use local ingredients, such as coffee from Ceremony Coffee Roasters in Annapolis and fresh apple cider from McCutcheon’s in Frederick. Buying a Jailbreak beer is an investment in Maryland.”
Monocacy Brewing Company
Frederick County
Monacacy strives to represent Maryland the best way they know how – and that is to provide great quality, local beer to the State while giving back to the City of Frederick. The brewery’s tasting room is currently open every Friday to visitors, and tours are available every Saturday from 12-4pm.
“Since founding Brewer’s Alley in 1996 and expanding into Monocacy Brewing Company in 2012, owner Phil Bowers has worked to ensure that his brands positively represent his hometown of Frederick,” said Jim Bauckman of Monocacy. “From our partnership with local maltsters Amber Fields Malting and Brewing, to the non-profit community organizations we work to benefit, Monocacy maintains local relationships to source quality ingredients and give back to our neighbors in Frederick. The outstanding support we have received over the last 18 years indicates that our focus on local partnership matters to our customers.”
<em>Discover Maryland breweries close to your community.</em>
