Catoctin Breeze Vineyard- Thurmont, MD

Rarely do I find wineries in Maryland or Virginia that are both scenic and make good wine. Of the obscene amount of wineries in the two states, only a handful make truly tasty vino. Many do not even grow their own grapes, but rather prepare blends from purchased juice. Some that do grow their own grapes produce a product that is only palatable when you substantially lower your expectations- for instance, it’s a cold beverage on a hot day. Catoctin Breeze Vineyard is an outlier. Situated on a beautiful piece of land in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains, they produce a genuinely good product.

To have a quality wine, you have to be able to grow quality grapes, which requires the proper soil and growing conditions. Considering this, Catcotin Breeze nailed it; their grapes are grown in a mineral rich alluvial soil, eroded over millions of years from the Appalachian Mountains. Their higher elevation location in the foothills provides a constant breeze from Owen’s Gap, keeping the vines well ventilated. Their hilly property provides good drainage and two sun exposures, south and east. Given all these factors, it’s no surprise that their wine is wonderful.

Located close to Gettysburg, PA and Frederick, MD, as well as several covered bridges, their cozy tasting room makes for a fabulous summer afternoon stop. They offer a ridiculously reasonable priced Signature tasting for $10, or a Premium version for $12. There is also a sweet tasting, for those who actually like that sort of wine. I do not. Of the other two tasting flights, everything was well balanced and tasty, with the Romance Rosé, Estate Cab Franc and the 2014 Adagio Blend as standouts.

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