A Maryland Wine Experience 2026

The Maryland Wineries Association presents A Maryland Wine Experience, showcasing the best of Maryland wine. Winemakers, winery owners and expert winery staff will be on hand to talk about their wines and offer a sneak peek into why they're so passionate about what they do.

This unique wine experience will be hosted at Union Mills Public House, Tenth Ward Distilling Company, and The Y Arts Center in Frederick, MD. Our full-event package includes admission to your choice of two Master Class Sessions and access to the Grand Tasting, featuring 70+ Maryland wines for you to explore and sample.

If you’d prefer to attend individual sessions of the event, don’t hesitate to build your own experience and purchase individual session passes for the Master Class Sessions and the Grand Tasting.

And if you love the featured wines, visit the Maryland Wine Bottle Shop where you can purchase any of the wines to take home at the end of your visit. Winemakers not included, though...

Explore. Learn. Taste.

MAKE MINE A MARYLAND TRAIL | FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Participate in an exciting, immersive experience on Friday, March 20 as you explore the Make Mine a Maryland Trail. Explore local craft beverage makers and sip on handcrafted libations made right here in the Old Line State. This event is FREE to participate, all drinks are purchased a la carte at each location by participants.

Come back for a full list of participating venues!

"The best way to learn about wine is to drink it." - Unknown

Wine education is a large part of A Maryland Wine Experience and we've curated a selection of excellent Master Classes. Each of these classes gives you an opportunity to experience wine with a newfound sense of appreciation.

Blind Tasting Experience | Hosted at Tenth Ward Distilling | 11AM

Become a sommelier for a day and learn how to use the Deductive Tasting Grid method as you blind taste some of Maryland’s most delicious varietals. Led by our seasoned wine pros, you’ll discover how to improve your tasting skills and more accurately describe the wine in your glass.

Your blind tasting gurus will include:

• Jeff Lund, CSWS | Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
• TBD

2025 Vintage Preview | Hosted at The Y Arts Center | 11AM

With the 2025 harvest complete and the newest vintage resting in barrels, we invite you to be among the first to preview a selection of exceptional Maryland wines before they’re bottled. Enjoy exclusive barrel and tank samples while discovering how winemakers transform freshly harvested grapes into the finished wines you love.

Sit back and sip while we finalize your panelists for the Vintage Preview!

Blending Master Class | Hosted at Tenth Ward Distilling | 2PM

Join us for this hands-on seminar and learn about why wine blends are so important to a winemaker's portfolio. You'll learn how to create your own Tuscan-style red blend and will take away your own small bottle of a customized wine.

Check back in to see our esteemed list of winemakers who will help you craft your perfect blend.

High-Low Pairings Master Class | Hosted at The Y Arts Center | 2PM

Highbrow meets lowbrow in this down-to-earth master class. Learn how exceptional wines can take your everyday cravings — think potato chips, fried chicken, and vintage desserts — to the next level. Because great taste doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.

Stay tuned while we bribe our panelists with some yummy snacks...

THE GRAND TASTING | SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 3:30-6:30PM

The Grand Tasting at A Maryland Wine Experience features a curated selection of over 70 wines that are renowned for their exceptional flavor and quality. Discover the varietals that truly shine in our state, and enjoy the rare opportunity to meet the talented winemakers and winery staff behind the bottles. As you sip, enjoy an array of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres that complement your tasting journey.

While we finalize our 2026 lineup, check out these 24(!) wineries that participated last year:

• 61 Vineyard
• Big Cork Vineyards
• Black Ankle Vineyards
• Boordy Vineyards
• Boyd Cru Wines
• Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
• Crow Vineyard & Winery
• Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard
• Layton's Chance Vineyard
• Linganore Winecellars
• Links Bridge Vineyards
• Loew Vineyards
• Mazzaroth Vineyard
• Noir Sunshine Winery
• Port of Leonardtown Winery
• Simple Theory Wine Co.
• Six Wicket Vineyards
• Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
• The Urban Winery of Silver Spring
• The Vineyards at Dodon
• Two Lions Vineyards
• Windridge Vineyards

SPARKLING SUNDAY BRUNCH | SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 10:30AM

Brunch. But make it bubbly.

Enjoy a final farewell to the 2026 Maryland Wine Experience with a cozy Sunday brunch at Simple Theory Wine Co., located in downtown Frederick. A delectable array of brunch bites paired with a variety of sparkling wines—because there’s too much good Maryland wine to try just one. It’s all part of Maryland Wine Month and the Maryland Wine Experience this March, and trust us, this lineup is anything but ordinary.

Book your stay with Visitation Hotel TODAY and secure a great rate for your Maryland Wine Experience. Click here to reserve using the MWE group booking rate. You can also call 888-236-2427 and ask for SRP Code: MWA.

Reservations must be made by February 20 in order to receive the discounted rate.

Discover all that downtown Frederick has to offer by checking out the Visit Frederick homepage.

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