Boordy Vineyards in Long Green, Maryland

On November 5th, I had the chance to visit Boordy Vineyards for one of their Autumn Case Club parties with my friends Olga from Mango and Tomato and Rachel from DC For Me.

Boordy Vineyards was established in 1945. It is a historic vineyard located in Long Green MD, not far from Baltimore. We could not have asked for better weather. It was the perfect fall day: sunny and breezy. The trees were displaying beautiful and warm autumn colors.

Here is Rachel enjoying the scenery:

And Olga taking photos of our beautiful surroundings:

Rob Deford, Boordy’s owner, gave us a tour of the vineyard. He explained everything from the types of vines they grow, the micro climates, the equipment, to how growing grapes for wine in Maryland is much different from growing them in California.

Cabernet Franc

Want a wine barrel? Once a year Boordy sells used wine barrels for $80. These are full with last year’s harvest.

Events at the winery take place in the gorgeous, heated, barn. Soft jazz played in the background, while we enjoyed a buffet with wine pairings. The menu included:

• Black Bean Soup with double smoked bacon and crema fresca paired with Boordy’s Merlot
• Cheeses & fresh fruit paired with Boordy Pinot Grigio and Boordy Shiraz
• Salad with apples, cheddar cheese, walnuts & honey vinaigrette paired with Boordy Riesling
• Sausage stuffed pork loin with bacon tomato jam & apple cider glazed carrots paired with Boordy Cabernet Franc
• Glazed chicken with cornbread, squash & sage dressing paired with Boordy Chardonnay
• Chocolate and fruit pastries by Patisserie Poupon paired with Boordy Eisling and Boordy Veritas Port

They have knowledgeable staff to explain each wine and answer any questions you may have. And also, they pour generous samples!

I tried: Every. Single. Wine. My favorites were:
• Veritas Ruby port: A traditional barrel-aged port with aromas of blackberry, plums, and chocolate; the flavor is very rich and full, culminating in a sweet finish that lingers on the palate. I could not believe that such an amazing port is being made locally. If you ever see it, you should purchase it.
• Landmark Series Eisling: A seductive dessert wine with aromas of honeysuckle, orange, and ripe melon, and a full bodied flavor complemented by beautifully balanced sweetness and acidity.
• Icons of Maryland Series, Vidal Blanc: With an alluring aroma of cantaloupe, pineapple, caramel, and orange, Boordy’s Vidal Blanc has a clean semi-sweet finish balanced by refreshingly crisp acidity.
• Just For Fun Tango Peach: Think of it as a grown up version of Arbor Mist: a fun but well-balanced wine. Honeyed aromas of peach, citrus, and melon are followed by an alluring sweet flavor with a hint of tartness.

For a list of current events at Boordy Vineyards visit their events page.