We’ve written many times about the wine scene in Maryland, specifically the wineries around Frederick. While Maryland has traditionally lagged behind Virginia in terms of quality and quantity of wineries, it has come on strong in the last decade. One of the leaders in the Maryland wine movement is right in Frederick’s backyard: Linganore Winery.
Linganore Winecellars has been growing vines since 1972 and established a winery on its property in 1976. Today, it’s the largest winery in Maryland, and if you are looking for a great winery experience not far from Frederick, Linganore is on your shortlist.
Cotents
A Maryland Wine Original
Linganore is a family-owned winery that has been managed by several generations over the years. It began with just 6 acres of vineyards in 1972 and has grown into a major operation spanning over 70 acres, producing more than 30 different wines.
As a leader in the Maryland wine-making movement, Linganore has transformed its property to include a tasting room, an outdoor events area, and even a brewery.
Linganore Winery: Basics
Linganore Winery (Linganore Winecellars) is about 4 miles west of Mount Airy, and ~30 minute drive east of Frederick.
- Address: 13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- Web: linganorewines.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/linganorewinecellars
- Phone: +1.301.831.5889
- Reservations: Tock
- Events Calendar: Link
Watch Our Visit to Linganore Winery!
Keep reading for more information about Linganore wines, the Linganore winery visit experience, and the wine club. But watch this video to get a glimpse of Nicole and Glenn’s recent visit to Linganore as first-time members.
Planning a Visit to Linganore Winecellars
Linganore has a sprawling winery in a beautiful setting, an attractive tasting room, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy food and wine. This makes for an exceptional winery experience during any season, one of the best around Frederick. The tasting room is a remodelled barn with a cool indoor vibe.
Its a busy place but well run operation that makes visiting a pleasure.
We’ve walked into Linganore many times with no reservation, and you can do the same and enjoy a tasting in the tasting room for $12 / person.
But you can also book a variety of other experiences in advance (on Tock):
- Private Tasting. Linganore offers private tastings in its barrel room for 1-4 people. Watch the video above to see Nicole and Glenn enjoying this experience.
- Tour and Bar Tasting. This experience includes a tour of the Linganore wine-making process and a bar tasting with a wine expert ($30/person).
- Signature Tour and Tasting. You can book a small group tour of the winery that includes a seating tasting in the cellar and a cheese plate ($50 / person).
- Porch, Deck, Patio, and Fire Table Reservations. If you want to reserve a wine-tasting spot in advance, especially in a specific area or with a fire table, you can reserve and pre-pay.
(Note: on weekend, children are only allowed in the outdoor areas at Linganore – of which there are plenty and usually lots of families with kids).
Food at Linganore
Many of the wine-tasting experiences discussed above include cheese plates that you can order in advance. However, if you are walking in on the weekends and want something more substantial, there are almost always food trucks standing by.
Check the Events page at Linganore, where they list scheduled food trucks. This page also lists planned music at the winery, another constant on weekends.
The Wines at Linganore
Linganore is a prominent wine producer for a Maryland winery. Their diverse portfolio includes over 30 wines across red, white, and rosé varieties. Many of these wines are made from unique varietals that even seasoned wine enthusiasts may not be familiar with.
One of the most interesting and impressive things about the Linganore family ownership is their push to establish the first federally designated grape-growing area in Maryland. The Linganore Viticultural Area was established in 1983 and includes a wine region in Maryland of ~90 square miles.
The majority of Linganore wines are from grapes on the property. Here are some notable wines that we like from Linganore that specifically got our attention.
Linganore White Wines
- Calico White. This dry white is made from Vidal Blanc and a grape called Cayuga White. Cayuga is a hybrid developed at Cornell University in New York. (Named after the Maryland State Cat).
- Terrapin. An off-dry white that is made from Melody and Vidal Blanc. Melody is another hybrid grape from New York, most from the Finger Lakes region. (Named for the Maryland State Reptile)
- Vignoles. This white is super floral (reminds me of Viognier), dry, and citrus-noted. It’s a really good spicy food wine. Vignoles is yet another hybrid, this one from France but mostly grown in North America.
Linganore Red Wines
- Bacioni. This red is made from (and tastes like) Chambourcin, along with Cabernet Savignon, and Cabernet Franc. Its light, fruity, and tastes very typical to Maryland and Virginia. (Bacioni is Italian for ‘big kiss’).
- Petit Verdot. This variety grows well in Maryland; you see it a lot in our area. The Linganore version is deep-flavored with a velvet finish.
- Saperavi. This is the most interesting and our favorite Linganore wine. Saperavi is native to Georgia (the country in Asia, not the state). Its medium body but very unique.
Linganore Sweet Wines
- Traminette. This is a semi-sweet white wine made from the Traminette grape. Reminds me of Gewürztraminer. You can enjoy it as a dessert wine, but it stands up to savory food as well.
Consider Joining the Wine Club
If you’ve read our other winery reviews or followed us, you know we are big fans of joining wine clubs. The commitments are minor (you usually sign up to buy 3-4 bottles every 3 months), and the perks wineries offer in return are worth it.
We joined Linganore recently due to its proximity to where we live. It’s a nice place to visit, and we like the wines.
The Linganore Wine Club has multiple levels (3-bottle, 6-bottle, and 12-bottle club). The benefits are laid out in the chart above, but in essence, they all provide you with free tastings when you visit (worth $12/person), discounts on all purchases, and access to members-only experiences.
If you think you’ll be visiting Linganore regularly and drinking a lot of wine, joining the Linganore Wine Club is a no-brainer.
Red Shedman Brewery
Nicole and I have noticed a trend of wineries either opening adjacent breweries or offering beer on their properties. It’s almost as if these establishments know that many couples are divided on their drinking preferences (women love wine, men prefer beer).
Linganore was an early adopter of this movement. In 2014, the group established the Red Shedman Brewery adjacent to the Linganore winery. Red Shedman (named for the distinctive red barn) brews craft beers, ciders, and seltzers.
In September 2024, Frederick awoke to the news that the Red Shedman Brewery had experienced a significant setback due to a fire that destroyed its main facility. This incident occurred just two days before a crucial fundraiser for StopMPRP was scheduled to take place on the Linganore property.
To their credit, the Linganore team went ahead and hosted the fundraiser as planned. They have also managed to keep the Red Shedman operation running, including a temporary tasting room on-site that visitors can enjoy.
What Else You Need to Know about Linganore Winery
- In addition to buying all of its wines online, Linganore offers interesting wine bundles for sale, such as this Thanksgiving Bundle of turkey-paired wines.
- Linganore has become a major venue for events in the Frederick area. It’s a very popular wedding venue near Frederick.
- Linganore is committed to sustainability and has previously earned the Maryland Sustainability Leadership Award.
One Response
Thank you for this fantastic write up! As the Wine Club Manager at Linganore Winecellars I’d like to personally welcome you to the Club! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful first visit and can’t wait to have you back soon!