Port of Leonardtown Winery

The first Wine Tourism Day takes place Saturday, May 11.  According to the Wine Tourism Day website, “Wine Tourism Day is designed to feature the many wineries offering events through North America, promote the concept of traveling to wine regions on vacation, and highlight the economic impact of wine tourism. Most of all it is about you, a lover of wine and travel, having fun.”

Tourism should not be under estimated. Tourism is an important aspect of any country’s economy. Tourists/visitors can impact restaurants, stores, hotels, bed and breakfasts, gas stations, car rental agencies, airports and more.

In France it was noted that tourism is one of the few industries that cannot be outsourced to another country. (Becker, Elizabeth, Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism, 2013) Tourism also cannot be created on a movie screen or in a book. However, these are good ways to learn about destinations but not the same as visiting and experiencing the cultures and talking with the residents.

Wine tourism is growing with more people interested in visiting wine regions throughout the world. Here in Maryland the wine industry is growing and now has more than 60 wineries with more planning to open within a year or two.

Check your region and state for wineries celebrating Wine Tourism Day.

Maryland hosted the successful Drink Local Wine Conference in April. Now numerous events are planned for May 11, Wine Tourism Day. Some of these special events include:

• Crow Farm Vineyard will be offering one free wine tasting and sample of Crow Farm products

• Galloping Goose Vineyards will feature a flight of three red wines hors d’oeuvres for $12.00

• Distillery Lane Ciderworks is offering a cider making class covering the basics of home cider making. Head cider maker, Tim Rose, and orchardist, Rob Miller, lead the class.  Topics covered include: the desirability of various apple varieties, how different apples are used , the fermentation process, the importance of sanitation, and blending the final product. The class is $100 per person (preregistration and a $25 non-refundable deposit is due to hold a spot in the class). This fee covers the class, tastings, and the materials needed for participants to ferment a case of their own hard cider at home. To register, please visit their website or call 301-834-8920

• The Piedmont Wine Trail will host a Vidal wine tasting on May 11 and May 12. Each winery will have a different special with the Vidal grape. Participating wineries: Basignani Winery, Boordy Vineyards, DeJon Vineyards, Fiore Winery, Harford Vineyard and Winery, Royal Rabbit Vineyards, and Woodhall Wine Cellars.

• Catoctin Breeze Vineyard offers a featured sample of their wines for a tasting fee of $6, including a complimentary tasting glass. Private tours are  available and include a guided tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a private tasting of all currently available wines, complete with cheese pairings. The private tour is $25 per person and reservations are required. For reservations call 240-449-0677 or email tours@catoctinbreeze.com.

• Port of Leonardtown: Marvelous Mom’s Celebration & National Wine Tourism Day, Cost: Pairing of chocolate truffles and wine $10. Reservations required please call 301-690-2192.

Enjoy celebrating Wine Tourism Day by visiting a winery.

Cheers, Kathy