As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, urban wineries create an easily available experience for urban dwellers. Urban wineries also may make use of restoring older buildings rather than razing and building anew.

Winemaking has a long history behind it and it seems appropriate that new wineries use available historical buildings. Preservation of the past has benefits for today’s society. We have visited several urban wineries that winemakers established in buildings 50 to 100 years old.

Examples of these preservationist wineries include Pentamere Winery in Michigan, St. Michael’s in Maryland, Frederick Cellars in Maryland and Old North State in North Carolina. Check out these articles for detailed information about these wineries.

Pentamere Winery in Tecumseh, Michigan was the location for the Anderson dry grocery built in 1871. Later the building became a clothing store followed by a diner. The Pentamere Winery partners purchased the building in 2000.

St. Michaels Winery located in the tourist town of St. Michaels, Maryland is making use of an abandoned flour mill. Tourists and residents enjoy stopping by St. Michaels for a tasting and winery events.

Converted from a brick 1904 ice warehouse, in addition to the tasting counter Frederick Cellars has a small stage for entertainment. Check out their entertainment schedule.

Old North State Winery in Mt. Airy, North Carolina combines a winery and restaurant in a restored 1890’s mercantile building. Prior to the mercantile, the building was a hardware store. The site was also believed to have been a saloon. By the way Mt. Airy, was home to Andy Griffith.

When you visit an urban winery, take note of what the building may have been in a previous time period. How much of the building still keeps its original character. You may be very pleasantly surprised. All of the above wineries benefit from foot traffic.

What’s the most intriguing renovated urban winery you have visited? Email me at kathy (at) winetrailtraveler.com.