There’s nothing that screams summer like friends gathered around a table, enjoying a few glasses of wine and sharing charcuterie. The sound of laughter as friends reminisce over old memories is something that never gets old.

What better place to keep the wanderlust alive than exploring the history of local vineyards and making new memories with friends? From the incredible landscape to the tasty wines, visiting a winery and learning about the intricate wine making process is one of the many great activities for the summer.

After visiting two or more wineries over the years, I am pleased to say that these vineyards remind me of the ones that I’ve seen in Bordeaux, France.  

1. Boordy Vineyards – Hydes, MD. This is my personal favorite because you can do either one of those four activities mentioned below. Plus, the ‘flights’ are on the cheaper side of the spectrum. All these picturesque photos were captured at the Boordy Vineyard. May I add that the drive there was lovely; lots of trees and open fields. Loved it!

2. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard – Dickerson, MD. For me, it isn’t just about good wine. I am very much so into the ‘feels.’ Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard gives me all the feels, as it perched up on a hill. Again, you get that Napa Valley feel locally. Absolutely recommend, depending on where you are driving from.

3. Linganore Winecellars – Mt Airy, MD. Spend an afternoon tasting the various wines Linganore Winecellars offer: dry, sweet and fruit wines. By the way, this small winery has won multiple wines multiple awards. Check it out and learn about their skilled winemakers.

4. Orchid Cellar Meadery and Winery – Middletown, MD. This winery specializes in complex meads as well as unique reds and white wines. They welcome mead fans, wine lovers and beer enthusiasts. Picnic are equally allowed but not outside alcohol.

5. Big Cork Vineyards – Rohrersville, MD. This award winning winery offers wine tastings, tours, special events, live music and more. Also, their aesthetics make for a killer photo shoot, as they have opted for a minimal and clean approach to the architecture.

Have you noticed that Maryland has never made top cities to visit in U.S.? Maryland is underrated and so are the many treasures located here. Of course, our city isn’t the place tourists gravitate to the most when visiting America, but we are regal nonetheless. From the hiking trails to the local eateries and more, Maryland is home to some incredible gems.

WHAT TO DO AT A WINERY?

• Learn about the wine making process. From the harvesting, to the crushing, to the fermentation, clarification and bottling, this intricate process is worth your time.

• Hop on a tasting flight. If the wine making process doesn’t impress you, indulge in a ‘tasting flight.’ Tasting flight simply means enjoy a selection of wines; between three to eight glasses. This is for the purpose of sampling and comparing.

• Record a mini documentary in the vineyards. Unleash your inner youth as you run free through the vines. This is a great place to shoot amazing content as a creative and or for the books.

• Host a picnic. Most wineries allow you to bring your own picnics essentials. More than likely, you’ll have to purchase a bottle of wine or two, but it is worth it. Check out my latest post on the 5 essentials for the perfect summer picnic.

Be sure to check out my blog post on 5 alternatives to traveling this summer for more activities.

XX, Kris