Boordy Vineyards Tour de Tanks begins with tank tasting in the winery building.

Although this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail event Tour de Tanks, it is the first year that Kathy and I had a chance to participate. The Mason Dixon Wine Trail is unique in that it is made up of wineries from two states, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is also one of the oldest wine trails in the country. For the past ten years the wine trail has sponsored the popular Tour de Tanks event. Even though there has been plenty of snow lately, the first weekend of the event had two sunny days with temperatures reminding one of spring.

Kathy and I set off on a sunny March Sunday to discover what was happening at three of the Maryland wineries on the trail. Our first stop was Boordy Vineyards. After getting our tickets stamped and collecting our Mason Dixon Wine Trail glasses, we headed to the winery for a tasting of two wines from the tanks. Although we have been to Boordy a couple of times, this was our first time in the winery. The circular stainless steel stairway was quite attractive at the forefront of tall gleaming tanks. Our first wine was a 2014 Landmark Chardonnay. The wine offered notes of apple, pear and citrus especially grapefruit. It is expected that the wine will be in tank a few more months. Our next wine sampled was a Syrah. The dark rose/purple colored wine reminded me of plums, chocolate and leather with tannins. After the tastings we walked over to the barn that houses the tasting room. We were directed to the second floor where six tasting stations were set up with Boordy wines to taste. Tour de Tanks visitors could also enjoy a small bowl of Italian chicken noodle soup.

While at Boordy we talked with John and Dina Stasik of Baltimore. John said, “This is our 4th year of the Tour de Tanks.” Spending March weekends visiting wineries, distilleries and a cidery was a Christmas and anniversary present. It is something the couple looks forward to each year. They plan to visit all the members on the trail on March weekends.

The dry red blend Dragonfly was paired with chocolates for the Tour de Tanks visitors.

Our next stop was a short drive to DeJon Vineyards. For the event, they were serving eight wines, Tour de Tanks ticket holders could select five wines to taste. You also receive a bag of assorted chocolate sweets that paired well with the Dragonfly blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin. The translucent ruby color wine offered dark fruit characteristics and had bold tannins. It paired well with the chocolates.

While at DeJon we spoke with David Shapiro, the manager, about the Tour de Tanks event. He likes the event because it brings people to the winery from outside the area. Many people from Pennsylvania make the trek to the Maryland wineries on the trail.

My favorite barrel aged grappa in the United States is made by Fiore.

Rose Fiore summed up the importance of the Tour de Tanks event. She told us that on the first Saturday of the event they had over 100 visitors to the winery. Only six were not participants in the Tour de Tanks event. The event brings people to the winery during a month when tourism is low. Fiore Winery was about a half hour drive from DeJon. We were able to sample a Chambourcin from a barrel. The wine had a dark ruby color and reminded me of red berries, leather and it had tannins.  We also tasted several of Fiore wines and spirits in their portfolio. Fiore has a distillery on the property and distills several spirits. One, my favorite, is an oak aged grappa. This grappa was a light yellow color and had wonderful aromatics. I could pick up sweetness on the aroma, although the grappa itself was dry. Alcohol is sweet.

While at Fiore, Tour de Tanks participants could also sit down and relax while enjoying wines and  a few different finger foods. Ticket holders have all four weekends to visit the twenty members of the Mason Dixon Wine Trail. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at any of the wineries, distilleries and the cidery on the trail.

Cheers,
Terry