Many wine enthusiasts enjoy drinking wine but also would like to learn about how wine is made. While a winemaking book is helpful, actually making wine can be a terrific experience. Below are three East Coast wine facilities that offer the option of making a barrel of wine.

Maryland

This past weekend we visited Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Clarksville, Maryland where we have a barrel of

Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Clarksville, Maryland

wine aging in French oak. Dave Zuchero winemaker and winemaking enthusiast was scheduled to be at the facility on Sunday to introduce visitors to the idea of making their own wine.

For those living in Maryland or nearby Tin Lizzie Wineworks has been offering winemaking education for several years. In 2009 we made a barrel of Cabernet Sauvignon and the people we have shared the wine with have really enjoyed it.

By making your own wine at a winery like Tin Lizzie you have the opportunity to learn the intricate additions that may be added to the grape juice, have great winemaking stories to share and have wine bottled with a label that you have created yourself. What more can you ask for?

If you are interested in making a barrel of wine, consider getting a group of friends together to share the experience, the wine and the cost of a barrel. Dave also offers opportunities to make a quarter or a half-barrel.

For more about Tin Lizzie Wineworks, visit the Tin Lizzie website or call Dave at (301) 318-9954.
Read the Tin Lizzie Wineworks Wine Trail Traveler article.

Northern Virginia

For those living in Northern Virginia, consider a winemaking gift at Vint Hill Craft Winery in Vint Hill, VA.

Vint Hill Craft Winery in Vint Hill, Virginia

We have also made wine at Vint Hill Craft Winery when we made a Cabernet Sauvignon. Vint Hill Craft Winery also has a tasting room that is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The tasting room on the second floor overlooks the winemaking area.

Vint Hill Craft Winery offers four different winemaking options:

• Full barrel
• Half barrel
• Six cases
• Barrel owner program

For more information about Vint Hill’s winemaking program visit their website or call (540) 351-0000.

Read the Vint Hill Craft Winery Wine Trail Traveler article:

New Jersey

In New Jersey, we discovered a winery that offers opportunities to make a barrel of wine.

Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, New Jersey

Beneduce Vineyards offers participants the opportunity to harvest their own grapes or have grapes from California. According to their website, “We tailor our Winemaking Club to your interests in winemaking – from a fun social gathering, to a team-building event for businesses, or even deep into the nerdy underworld of wine chemistry.” For those interested in making wine at Beneduce Vineyards, contact Mike at Mike@BeneduceVineyards.com or call (908) 996-DUCE.

Read the Beneduce Vineyards Wine Trail Traveler article.

A few wineries around the country offer learning about wine by making a barrel of wine. If you are not near Tin Lizzie, Vint Hill or Beneduce Vineyards, do an online search of the wineries in your region that offer the possibility of making a barrel of wine.

Father’s Day is almost here so if you have the means consider a gift for Dad that he will remember.

Cheers, Kathy