Grape Escape

By following the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail, wine lovers can experience Washington and Frederick Counties in a unique way.

The trail is one of 10 created by the Maryland Office of Tourism. According to its website, www.visitmaryland.org/ list/wine-trails, along the Antietam Wine Trail visitors will experience some of Maryland’s lush, rolling hills, historic battlefields and unforgettable small towns. The trail features eight different wineries, all located in Frederick and Washington counties.

Antietam Creek Vineyards is the first stop on the tour. Tasting Room Manager Kim Greenfield says that Antietam Creek Vineyards, is a privately owned by George Warmenhoven and Joan Larrea. The winery, and its vineyard, sit on a 55-acre farm located adjacent to Antietam National Battlefield and along Antietam Creek.

“You’ll find us at 4835 Branch Ave. in Sharpsburg, Md. If you are using GPS to locate us, and you find your path winding through the battlefield tour, do not despair, this is the way to the winery. Enjoy the views along the way, and we’ll see you between battlefield tour stops 10 and 11,” Greenfield says.

The winery makes good use of a classic Maryland bank barn. The historic barn was built in the Mennonite

Take a trip along the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail

tradition, with a peg-and-post upper level and stone foundation.

“Our tasting room is located inside a carefully renovated 1903 dairy barn. Customers rave about our rustic ambiance, picturesque views and laid-back atmosphere,” Greenfield says.

Greenfield says the boutique winery produces about 1000 cases annually. She says they offer eight to 10 different wines at any given point.

“We offer red and white wines which are mainly dry with a couple semi-sweet options. A crowd favorite is our Peach wine, made only from peaches, it’s a beautiful balance of guilt and floral notes. Although it’s delicious any time of the year, it’s perfect for hot summer days. An in-house favorite is our Petit Verdot. Rich and bold with notes of black pepper,” Greenfield says.

Antietam Creek Vineyards offers live music on weekends, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., mid-March to mid-November. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, they are also open Friday evenings. Greenfield says that they plan to add weekday hours.

The winery also offers a space for events of all kinds such as showers, corporate gatherings, weddings, etc.

The next stop on the tour is Big Cork Vineyards, located at 4236 Main St., in Rohersville, Md. According to the tour website, Big Cork’s wines are crafted by award-winning vintner Dave Collins.

The winery can be found on 100 rolling acres amid the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their farm grows 18 grape varietals and produces more than 25 types of estate wine.

The winery is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to its website, www.bigcorkvineyards.com, the winery only offers tastings by appointment.

The third stop on the tour is Blue Mountain Wine Crafters Boutique Winery, located at 117 E. Baltimore St. in Funkstown, Md. Owner/

Winemaker Cindy Rowe says the winery offers many different wines made from local Maryland grapes and fruit.

“We also go to New York for a few of our varieties. We have dry and sweet, red and white wines, a couple of blush wines and for the sweet lovers we offer dessert wines as well as some ports,” Rowe says. “Girls Best Friend,” a sweet white wine that is made from Diamond grapes, Rowe says, is super popular right now.

“Our ‘Cabernet Franc’ and ‘Petit Verdot,’ dry, red, barrel-aged wines are two of the local favorites made from Maryland grapes purchased from 78 Acres in Smithsburg Md.,” Rowe says.

The winery is open daily. On the weekends it offers live music featuring local musicians on Friday nights, 6 to 9 p.m., Saturdays, 2 to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“Our Boutique winery offers many varieties of exceptional, award-winning wine, home brewing and wine making supplies as well as gifts for all wine lovers. You can make your own wine, beer and cider with us. All of this is offered with friendly small-town service,” Rowe says.

The tour’s next stop is Cool Ridge Vineyard, located at 19638 Cool Hollow Road in Hagerstown. This boutique vineyard and winery has 16-acres of grapevines sitting atop the ridge that terraces down to Cool Hollow and the Antietam Creek. Visitors can enjoy beautiful mountain views and award-winning European style dry wines. Tours and tastings are by appointment only. For more information, visit its website, www. coolridgevineyard.com.

The fifth stop on the trail is Mazzaroth Vineyard, a family-run bou- tique winery located at 8333 Myersville Road, Middletown, Md. According to its website, www.mazzarothvineyard. com, the winery plans to reopen for visits in April.

Orchid Cellar Meadery and Winery is the next winery on the tour. The hand-built log cabin, located on 15 acres in the Middletown Valley of Frederick County, at 8546 Pete Wiles Road, in Middletown, Md., serves as its tasting room. The winery specializes in unique meads ranging from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, and fruity to earthy to even spicy. Limited wine options are also available. For more information, visit its website, www. orchidcellar.com.

Our next to last stop on the tour is the Red Heifer Winery, located at 12840 Red Heifer Winery Lane, in Smithsburg, Md. Owner Yvonne Ford said the winery offers a large variety of estate bottled dry and sweet wines.

“All of the grapes for our dry wines are cultivated here in Smithsburg, Maryland,” Ford says.

Red Heifer also offers wine slushies, dessert wines and Port-style fortified wines. Guests at Red Heifer can enjoy wine by the flight, glass or bottle.

“Additionally, we are in the beginning process of adding sparkling wines to our offerings. We hope to debut our selection in the summer of 2023,” Ford says. “Wines are as different as people are. With offering so many different styles and types of wine, we are able to please most palates.”

Ford says her personal favorite is “Winemakers Chardonel Reserve.” She said the wine is a lovely hybrid grape varietal developed at Cornell University.

“We barrel age it in French oak to bring out delicate vanilla and coconut notes. Kevin, Red Heifer Winery’s winemaker, says, “the most popular wine is the one in your glass.” At the end of a busy day, however, he most enjoys a glass of Petit Verdot for its bold fruit and heavy tannins,” Ford says.

The Red Heifer hosts outdoor music events from May through October.

“As an adults-only winery, everyone can expect a relaxing afternoon of enjoying wine, taking in the view, and listening to live music,” Ford says.

Guests can also rent semi-private and private experiences with their winter Igloos, summertime cabanas, and vineyard pergola.

“Through the spring and fall, we have lovely flower gardens that guests enjoy,” Ford says.

For more information, visit its website, www. RedHeiferWinery.com.

The final stop on the Antietam Highlands Winery Trail is Willow Oaks Craft Cider and Wine located at 6219 Harley Road in Middletown, Md. The 35-acre farm crafts their farmhouse style cider from certified organic American heirloom apples. For more information, visit www.willowoakscraftcider.com.