MD WinePress Spring/Summer 2016

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Wineries, long associated with
the pastoral tracts of lands
on which grapes are grown,
are now popping up in more
metropolitan areas. And a new crop of
millennial wine drinkers have helped
to open that door just a little wider for
alternative wineries. No one can deny
the beauty of a vineyard, but some of
Maryland’s best wineries are located right
in the city. Here are some of our favorites:
Turkey Point Vineyard
116 SOUTH MAIN ST. / NORTH EAST, MD 21901
In 2007, Eric and Doris Behnke began
designing their future vineyard, after
inheriting part of the family farm. In 2008
they were up and running, with three
varieties in the ground: Merlot, Cabernet
Franc and Chardonnay. That was on
approximately 5 acres. In the spring of
2014, they added a little over 2 acres to
the vineyard, which gives them about 7
acres of grapes (5 in production).
North East is located in Cecil County,
at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. With
a resident population of nearly 2,000
people, the town is host to thousands of
visitors during the summer months. The
Turkey Point Vineyard Tasting Room,
located on North East’s vibrant Main
Street, opened in May 2014, and was an
instant success. Visit their tasting room to
try and buy their award-winning wines!
Cygnus Wine Cellars
3130 LONG LN. / MANCHESTER, MD 21102
This cozy winery and tasting room
is located in Carroll County’s historic
downtown of Manchester. The winery,
which was established in 1996, took up
B Y K E L LY D U D E C K
The Rise of
Main Street
Wineries
residence in an abandoned 1939-vintage
slaughterhouse.
Owner and winemaker Ray Brasfield
focuses on producing dry table wines and
methode champenoise sparkling wines
from only locally grown grapes. The
focus of the Cygnus Wine Cellars tasting
room is wine education. Customers will
find intelligent and informative answers
to their wine questions, often from the
winemaker himself. Events are important
at the winery. During the summer, several
dinners are featured, where a specially
chosen chef will prepare a dinner for
twenty guests outdoors. While he prepares
the dinner, guests watch the chef and
enjoy appetizers. Later they go downstairs
where tables with linen tablecloths and
crystal stemware are provided for the
dinner. When you visit, make sure to ask
Ray where the name Cygnus comes from!
St. Michaels Winery
609 S. TALBOT ST. / ST. MICHAELS, MD 21663
The town of St. Michaels, located in
Talbot County, dates back to the mid-
1600s when it served as a trading post for
area tobacco farmers and trappers. This
vintage harbor port, whose origins date
from the birth of the colonies, is nestled
on the beautiful Miles River, and this is
where you will find the charming tasting
room at St. Michaels Winery.
This family-owned and -operated winery
started in 2005 and is the largest winery
on the Eastern Shore, using primarily local
grapes. Upon arrival, visitors are given a
list of the possible wine flights to taste,
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