You’ve landed on this page because you are looking for the Best Wineries Around Frederick MD. We’ve got you covered!
The winery scene around Frederick and in rural Maryland in general is sneaky amazing. But it takes some exploring. The list below has our favorite Wineries Near Frederick, ranked based on what we believe makes a great winery experience:
- The Quality of the Wine
- The Tasting Room or Outdoor Seating area
- The Setting and Views
- The Overall Experience
The list below has a wide spectrum of Frederick area wineries. Some are larger venues that don’t require reservations, places you can basically show up anytime they are open for a visit or tasting.
Others are much smaller boutique wineries near Frederick that you must make an appointment to visit. Many of these can be the best to visit! Be sure to read the details for each winery below.
Nicole and I are members at (far too many!) wineries. A great wine club is another feature we think makes a great winery. For example, what does a winery do to treat wine club members extra special? Below, we comment on the wine clubs of some of these wineries but have not considered them in the rankings.
Side note: If you are a Frederick local, we really encourage you to join local wine clubs. It’s just a commitment to buy a modest amount of their wine, usually on a quarterly basis (and hey, you’re gonna buy wine anyway!). It’s a great way to support these local Frederick wineries.
(Did we miss a place? Did we rank something too high or low? Let us know in the comments.)
Rankings: Best Wineries Around Frederick MD
Map of Frederick Area Wineries
Why We Love It: Black Ankle was the first winery that Nicole and I ‘discovered’ when we moved to the Frederick area, and we’ve loved it ever since. In fact, we consider it one of the special places that makes living in the area amazing. It’s the place where we take family and visitors when they are in town.
There are so many reasons that make Black Ankle a special. The wine tastes like ‘California’. The setting is mysterious and gorgeous (especially at sunset). In fact, the drive to the winery has the “where the heck are we” vibe. Then suddenly, Black Ankle appears as a stunning oasis.
The indoor winery (earth-friendly architecture) and outdoor patio are super cool places to drink wine. Black Ankle also has food, food trucks, and occasional events such as wine dinners that we’ve also come to enjoy. The Black Ankle Wine Club is also highly recommended.
In fact, the biggest problem Black Ankle has is that it’s a victim of its own success – too many people in Maryland are discovering it.
- 14463 Black Ankle Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- www.blackankle.com
- www.facebook.com/blackankle
- Favorite Wine: Passegiata
- Reservations: Online Link
Why We Love It: Big Cork Vineyards is the real deal. When I lived in Northern Virginia, Nicole and I were regulars at many Loudoun County wineries. There are some tremendous wineries in Loudoun, including Stone Tower, Chrysalis Vineyards, and what was our go to place: Breaux Vineyards.
Big Cork rivals all those places in every aspect: quality of wine, tasting room, scenery, and overall experience. It should be no surprise that the founder and main winemaker at Big Cork (Dave Collins) came from Breaux.
The best aspect of Big Cork is the quality of the wines. Both the Bordeaux-style reds and whites will win over even the most ardent Maryland wine skeptics. They are high quality and delicious.
But Big Cork does everything else well. The Tasting Room is upscale and gorgeous. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, and the views are beautiful. Big Cork is also big on events. The frequent educational tasting and summertime concerts are highly recommended. Tasting reservations are recommended, and this is another wine club we’ve been members of and recommend.
Big Cork is a Maryland winery gem!
- 4236 Main St, Rohrersville, MD 21779
- bigcorkvineyards.com
- facebook.com/BigCorkVineyards/
- Favorite Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Reservations: Online Link
Why We Love It: Six Wicket Vineyards is another Maryland boutique viticultural gem. The gorgeous winery is run by Ed and Kathy O’Laughlin, who began in 2014 and now have over 15 acres in Myersville, MD. It’s a small place that you’ll visit only by appointment, but the intimacy of the visit makes it special.
Six Wicket focuses on a few varietals – Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Albarino, Petit Verdot, and Chardonnay. During our visit, Nicole and I especially enjoyed their Cabernet Franc, especially the version aged in Slovenian Oak.
Today, the tasting room is on the ground floor of their beautiful estate home, but they plan to build a larger, more formal tasting room in the future. Make an appointment and visit because it is a beautiful vineyard producing some of Maryland’s best wines!
- 10819 Church Hill Rd, Myersville, MD 21773
- sixwicketvineyards.com
- https://www.facebook.com/profile
- Favorite Wine: Cabernet Franc (Slovenian Oak)
- Visit: By Appointment Only (Email Link)
Why We Love It: A visit to Mazzaroth Vineyards is unlike any other on this list. Nicole and I were luckily enough to (stumble) into an evening with Garry Cohen at Mazzaroth and it was one of the most delightful winery experiences we’ve ever had. And we’ve had a lot.
Mazzaroth is the epitome of a ’boutique’ winery. A visit to Mazzaroth is, in essence, a visit to Garry’s home-turned-winery, which includes an in-depth education into what it takes to make wine in Maryland. The tour includes a detailed walkthrough of Garry’s production area, where he will likely serve you tastings from his tanks of Vidal Blanc, Albarino, and his signature Tannat.
Don’t expect a fancy tasting room, but Garry will continue the tour at his personal bar area, where you will receive more wine tasting. Make no mistake, Garry knows what he’s doing, his wines are delicious and you will likely leave with several bottles.
This is an ‘appointment only’ vineyard, but Nicole and I cannot recommend visiting Mazzaroth enough. It’s a delightful Maryland winery experience.
P.S. We will let Garry explain where the name ‘Mazzaroth’ comes from—he can tell it better than me!
Why We Love It: This is a must-visit winery in the Frederick area. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards firmly has its act together, producing solid wines and giving guests a wonderful venue to visit and taste.
SMV has been around since 2006, and on its 22 acres, it currently grows 12 different varietals. Located in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain, the grapes grown here thrive in a unique microclimate, giving the experienced winemakers at SMV many options to create delicious wines.
It’s equally a rewarding winery to visit, with lots of outside seating (and a minimal amount of indoor seating). You can also schedule a tour by email in advance. This is also one of the wineries on this list that you should consider joining the wine club (Bacchus Club).
- 18125 Comus Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842
- smvwinery.com
- facebook.com/smvwinery
- Favorite Wine: Chardonnay
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: This winery is a bit of hike from Frederick (~35 minutes), but deserves a place on this list because its truly worth visiting. Nicole and I were blown away when we first visited Old Westminster.
It’s a highly acclaimed place (both nationally and locally), and you will want a reservation before showing up. The all-around experience is top-shelf.
There are multiple tasting/visiting areas, everything from a veranda, greenhouse, and individual pods for your group. The food is a big deal, the charcuterie board we shared was delectable. But gourmet pizzas are popular as well.
The wines are interesting and delicious, with lots of blends with unusual looks and names. The 2023 Salt with exotic fruit flavors is my favorite. Old Westminster is high-quality wine, good enough to feature on the menu of places like Thacher and Rye.
Old Westminster is also a place to visit if you want the most Instagram-worthy photos.
Why We Love It: 61 Vineyard is right in our backyard, so it’s a place we’ve watched ‘grow up’ since we moved to the area. We are happy to say that it is a thriving winery and a wonderful place to visit.
It’s literally a small farm, and visiting is an intimate experience. The wine is made from the on-premise vineyards, which you’ll see when you pull in. The tasting room is small but cozy. Sitting on the larger patio or terrace is even better if the weather is nice. The wines are really good!
61 Vineyard has also really stepped up the event schedule. We attended a wonderful wine dinner, and Nicole even did yoga there! Please check it out!
- 28712 Kemptown Rd, Damascus, MD 20872
- 61vineyard.com
- facebook.com/61Vineyard
- Favorite Wine: Chardonnay
- Visit: Reservations Online, But Not Needed
Why We Love It: That view! Wineries are about experience and visual appeal. A great view from a winery’s outside area can go a long way towards making a visit memorable. That’s what Springhill Manor Winery has.
This winery, just 15 minutes north of Frederick, is on an elevated plateau with a gorgeous view of the Catoctin mountains. The view is even better when the lavender fields are in bloom.
Springfield Manor is not only a winery but also a distillery and brewery, so it’s a great place if your group likes more than just wine. It’s also a beautiful property that is still a working Inn (one of the best hotels around Frederick) and a popular wedding venue.
There are plenty of food options, including the usual food truck. It also has plenty of seating with no need for a reservation, so it’s a great place for a last-minute Frederick area winery visit.
- 11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
- springfieldmanor.com
- facebook.com/springfieldmanor
- Favorite Wine: Chambourcin
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: Wine and horses! Hidden Hills Vineyard has both and makes for an enjoyable winery visit.
The grounds of Hidden Hills are beautiful. It’s a quintessential Maryland farm, with rolling hills, horse pasture, and vineyards that give it spectacular scenery. The setting is one of Hidden Hills’ best features.
The wines are quite good as well. They tend to make red and white blends with Spanish and equestrian names (such as Mustang and Andalusian). I’ve seen them on the menu at Thacher and Rye.
The spacious tasting room has a modern farmhouse character, but I really recommend visiting on a nice day and sitting outside. Take advantage of the beautiful views and, of course, the horses you’ll see in the background. Its a real working horse farm.
Hidden Hills has events on most weekends, including live music and food trucks.
- 7550 Green Valley Rd, Frederick, MD 21701
- hiddenhillsfarmandvineyard.com
- facebook.com/HiddenHillsFarmandVineyard
- Favorite Wine: Rose Grey Rose
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: Nicole and I love to visit wineries, but we also love hiking. When you visit Links Bridge Vineyards near Thurmont, you can actually do both!
Links Bridge is a winery in a picturesque setting on the Monocacy River. Their wines are delicious (lots of single varietals and blends), but the highlight of a visit is the outdoor tasting area. The terrace and garden are green and lovely, and they make for a great wine-tasting outing, especially if the weather is nice. (You can also visit their indoor tasting room, but we recommend visiting on an ‘outdoor day’).
In fact, we recommend you do what we do when visiting Links Bridge: get a glass (or bottle) of wine and head out on the loop hike down to the river! The staff will give you a map, and you can wander past the vineyard and open fields and down to the Monocacy to finish your wine before heading back.
Why We Love It: The most interesting part of Loew Vineyards is its legacy. The owners are part of a family that originates from Lwow, Poland, and have been making mead since the 1800s. The family suffered, like many others, tremendously during the Holocaust of WWII-era Europe, and one family member eventually made it to the USA. In 1982, Loew Vineyards in Frederick County was established and the family heritage of wine-making carried on (read much more here).
Today, Loew Vineyards is a lovely spot near Mount Airy with a small, traditional tasting room (which doubles as a production area) and a beautiful view. It’s the kind of place where you can wander through the vines and talk to employees who likely picked the grapes, produced the wine, bottled it, and served it to you.
Loew Vineyards, Elk Run Vineyards, and Black Ankle Vineyards are all clustered together about 20 minutes east of Frederick, making for a good afternoon of wine tasting.
Why We Love It: Catoctin Breeze is a mountain-side vineyard located in Thurmont, Maryland. It is a bit further out from Frederick, about 25 minutes, and makes for a good outing if you are going to visit other wineries north of Frederick, such as Springfield Manor Winery and Links Bridge Vineyards.
But this venue is definitely worth the trip. The wines (reds and whites) are high quality and interesting, and the setting is gorgeous. Reservations aren’t necessary, and while there’s an indoor tasting room, this is a much better place to visit on a nice day where you can enjoy the outdoor picnic tables.
Joining the wine club does get you access to the members-only lounge.
- 15010 Roddy Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
- catoctinbreeze.com
- facebook.com/catoctinbreezevineyard
- Favorite Wine: Toroldego
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: Elk Run Vineyards is another winery that has been making wine in Maryland for quite a while (circa 1980 in their case). Located east of Frederick near Mount Airy, the vineyards and winery resemble a working farm that has mastered its craft of making premium wines through decades of refinement.
You can visit for a tasting and hang out inside or outside, or better yet, attend their standard tours on Saturdays and Sundays, which are very interesting.
Weekend events are pretty regular, including music and food trucks.
- 15113 Liberty Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- elkrun.com
- facebook.com/ElkRunVineyards
- Favorite Wine: Lord Baltimore Port
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: Linganore Winery is a major operation. With a 45-year history and well-established local brand, this is the Frederick area wine you are most likely to see around town.
The winery sits between Frederick and Mount Airy, and it’s a beautiful spot. There’s a spacious tasting room and lots of options for sitting outside, including fire pits. There are also lots of food options, including regular food trucks. Reservations are definitely recommended.
Events are big at Linganore Winecellars as well; check the events page. It’s a major wedding venue in the area as well.
Finally, they operate a major brewery on the same property—Red Shedman Farm Brewery. This makes it convenient if your party has members who prefer beer over wine!
Why We Love It: Do you like Mead? Mead is an alternative alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey. It’s an alcoholic beverage, and while it’s not super common in grocery stores or restaurants, there are several active meaderies in Maryland.
Orchard Cellar is one of those, and they produce a variety of meads that you can taste, buy, and enjoy at their beautiful property. Orchard Cellar meads come in an even broader array of flavors than you typically find with wine. Meads can be still or sparkling, sweet or spicy, and flavored with all kinds of natural ingredients.
Besides the mead, Orchard Cellar is a fabulous place to visit, with a classic log cabin tasting room and a beautiful outdoor setting. Reservations are not necessary.
- 8546 Pete Wiles Rd, Middletown, MD 21769
- orchidcellar.com
- facebook.com/orchidcellar
- Favorite Wine: Scorpian Hunter (Mead)
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Why We Love It: Serpent’s Ridge is also a bit of a drive from Frederick (~35 minutes), and definitely off the beaten path. But it’s in a lovely spot with a peaceful setting for getting away and sipping wine.
The tasting room is small, more like a small cabin. We’d definitely recommend visiting on a nice day when you can sit outside because the grounds and outside vibe are the main draw of Serpent’s Ridge.
The wines are focused and delicious with some interesting red and white blends. There’s wine snacks and usually a food truck. What more can you ask?
- 2962 Nicodemus Rd, Westminster, MD 21157
- serpentridge.com
- facebook.com/SerpentRidgeVineyard
- Favorite Wine: Seyval Blanc
- Visit: No Reservations Needed
Read Our Detail Reviews of The Best Wineries Around Frederick!
