Maryland Wineries

Time to loosen state's liquor laws? As the chairman of the Baltimore County Board of Liquor License Commissioners, I read with interest and dismay The Sun's editorial about the proposal before the General Assembly to allow direct shipment of wine to consumers in Maryland ("Special delivery," Feb. 20). I was particularly struck by the editorial's statement that "it's easy enough to make sure the deliveries are signed by someone age 21 or older." My five years of experience with the Baltimore County liquor board belies this statement.

All jazzed upLounge on the banks of College Creek at St. John's College, Annapolis, and cozy up to the cool sounds of the sixth annual JazzFest '98 Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Headliner Charlie Byrd (pictured) will perform with steel drummer Derek DiCenzo. Other acts include Susannah McCorkle, Monty Alexander, Main Street Octet and Unified Jazz Ensemble. Proceeds benefit the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Group rates are available, and children under 12 get in free.

Don Segal's vineyard, with its rows of bare midwinter vines and wood and wire trellises, sits on Annapolis' Harness Creek, a quiet nook where kayaks skim over glassy water. It bears the name of Segal's yet-to-be-unveiled boutique wine. Segal's Anne Arundel County vineyard, which he hopes will be Maryland's 13th winery, is representative of the state's burgeoning grape-growing and wine-making industry, as well as a concerted effort by state officials to establish a cluster of wineries in southern counties such as Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Calvert - where tobacco was once king.

The grape blossoms aren't quite ready to burst into full bloom -- it will take another week or two before their intoxicating fragrance permeates the vineyards. Instead, the scents of rosemary and lavender, basil and thyme will waft through the air Sunday afternoon at Boordy's in Long Green Valley.Add dancing, winery tours, grilled food, crafts, lectures, vineyard wagon rides and kite flying through rolling green pastures and you have the perfect ingredients for a family festival at a Maryland winery.

PREPARE SOME Maryland seafood, serve it with locally grown vegetables and toast the meal with a glass of wine from one of the state's several vineyards, and what do you have? You've got "Maryland's in Season" a month-long promotion touting state-grown seafood, produce and wine.The promotion is being sponsored by The Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Association of Maryland Wineries and the Maryland Department of Agriculture."By the end of the program, diners will realize how much of the food they order comes from right here in Maryland" said Marcia Harris, executive vice president for the restaurant association.

Philip and Jocelyn Wagner never set out to create an internationally renowned winery that would survive half a century and spawn hundreds of imitators.They were just trying to get rid of a grape glut.Nevertheless, 50 years after the Wagners founded their winery in the Baltimore suburb of Riderwood, Boordy Vineyards not only continues to use up grapes, it thrives. Its wines have never been better.Later this month (Oct. 28-29), Boordy will celebrate that milestone with a two-day festival at its present home in the Long Green Valley of northeastern Baltimore County.

The Maryland Wineries Association will host the third annual Decanter: A Celebration of Maryland Wine and Racing on April 20 and 21 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, as part of Preakness 2013 celebrations. “We love this event,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “Honoring the heritage and traditions of Maryland is what Decanter is all about.” Horses will race on the dirt and turf courses about every 30 minutes, and guests can wager on all races throughout the day. Racing experts will be on-hand to host seminars for the inexperienced track-goer.

Wine, music festival set this weekend at fairgrounds TIMONIUM - A wine and music festival will be held this weekend on the infield of the state fairgrounds. It will feature wine sampling, music, food and more than 100 artists and craftsmen. The festival will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate and include the music performances, cooking seminars, a souvenir wine glass and 10 wine samplings. Eight Maryland wineries will participate.

The second pour of Maryland Wine Week is coming up. From June 8-17, the Maryland Wineries Association is pairing up with restaurants and wine shops to celebrate local wine and produce.  The event line-up includes winemaker dinners, tasting and wine flights. The week's highlights include a five-course Black Ankle Vineyards dinner on June 12 at Ranazul , a Father's Day wine dinner at Red Red Wine on June 17 in Annapolis and the Elk Run Spring Jazz Festival on the grounds of Mount Airy's Elk Run Vineyards on June 9 and 10. For a complete list of events and promotions, go to the Maryland Wine Week website . Find Maryland Wine Week events and promotions    

Wine festival -- The Maryland Wine Festival 2006 will be held from noon to 6 p.m. today at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Admission is $20 for adults 21 and older with valid identification; $5 for ages 7 to 20; and free for 6 and younger with a paying adult. The event includes 14 Maryland wineries with their finest vintages, food, crafts, and wine seminars and wine-making demonstrations. Performers are: noon, Tom Principato Band, jazz; 1 p.m. to 2:45, Big Cam & the Lifters, oldies rock `n' roll; 3 p.m., Eric Byrd Trio, jazz; 4 p.m., Mike Dugan & Blues Mission; 5 p.m., Bourbon Street Ramblers.