9 Best Wineries in Annapolis, Maryland
Wineries are fun, relaxing places to visit for a variety of celebrations. From weddings to a date with your loved one, getting together with friends, or for a simple relaxing day trip, wineries are incredible places to enjoy.
Annapolis, located in Anne Arundel County Maryland is home to some of the best wineries in the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy a glass of wine or want to learn more about viticulture, these wineries have something for everyone.
Our interest in wineries started when we had the pleasure of visiting a local winery in Napa Valley Wine Country. It was such a beautiful and serene setting from the moment we walked in. Some of the best parts for us was hearing about the different types of wines they make and the tour.
During the tour around the winery, the guide showed us all the different stages of wine production, how they pick the grapes to bottling the wine. He even explained how they use sustainable practices to keep the vineyards healthy”
Here you will learn all about the best wineries in Annapolis, Maryland, along with other wineries near Annapolis, MD, that are definitely worth visiting as well.
Is Maryland known for wine?
California is most well-known for having the best wine in the country, but Maryland has been making wine for centuries now, and the wine here is becoming quite popular as well.
Because Maryland is so close to Washington D.C., more and more tourists are stopping by these wineries during their trip to the Capital and enjoying these delicious local wines.
How many wineries are in Maryland?
There are over 100 wineries in Maryland and they are grouped into sections of the state. In Annapolis, you can find a huge selection of wineries to visit.
9 Wineries in Annapolis, Maryland
Here are the best wineries in Annapolis Md, that are perfect for visiting with friends and families or for a celebration.
Some of these may be wineries near Annapolis MD but they are not more than an hour from Annapolis and are well worth the trip to taste some delicious local Annapolis wine.
1. Great Frogs Winery
Great Frogs Winery is the best winery in Annapolis! It is located on Harness Creek Road and is open every Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can do a variety of things at this winery, making it one you definitely want to visit.
Enjoy a relaxing tasting while you are here. These are self-guided currently so you can go at your own pace, which is nice when you don’t want to feel rushed. You will receive 2 oz flights of six different wines for $30.
You can also order wine by the bottle or glass, along with crackers, cheese, and other snacks that pair perfectly with this local wine.
They are one of the wineries with outdoor seating. Here at Great Frogs Winery, you can choose from indoor seating or outdoor seating on the patio. If you want indoor seating, it is best to have a reservation. Otherwise, seating is on a first-come first-served basis.
So, if you don’t want to wait, either go early or grab a reservation!
Stroll the winery hand in hand with your spouse and enjoy the peaceful serenity it brings. Play corn hole throughout the winery with friends or other fun games during your visit. With plenty to do, add this to your itinerary when you make a trip to Maryland.
They even allow dogs to come to visit if they are well-behaved and don’t disrupt others.
It is located close to some nice places to stay in Annapolis, MD.
2. Thanksgiving Farm Vineyard and Winery
Located ten miles from Annapolis in Harwood is Thanksgiving Farm Vineyard and Winery. It takes about 30 minutes to drive down to this winery, but it is worth the short drive.
This Annapolis winery is family-owned and run by a husband and wife team. It is a great farm to support and drink some incredible local Annapolis wine!
This farm has over 13 acres of vineyards and grows Bordeaux red varieties, including Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Their wines are made exclusively from the grapes on their farm, but they also have a few other wines available from other locations as well.
Here you can enjoy a self-guided wine tasting with six different wines made by this farm. Currently, you can enjoy the following wines during your tasting:
- Thanksgiving Farm Franc Blanc 2020 Harvest
- Towhee Dry Rose’ 2020 Harvest
- Thanksgiving Farm 2015 Farmhouse Red
- Thanksgiving Farm 2015 Meritage
- Thanksgiving Farm 2015 Reserve Meritage
- Thanksgiving Farm 2018 Dessert Wine
During the wine tasting, you will get six 5 oz. bottles of each wine in an easy-to-carry container for $50 that will serve four people.
Visit the Wine Sales Room to enjoy this wine tasting or to grab a bottle or two of this local wine. You can also enjoy sipping some red wine in their outside seating areas. While reservations are ideal, they also accept walk-ins if there is seating available.
Enjoy visiting this winery and tasting this local red wine selection on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
3. Boordy Vineyards
If you have time, take an hour’s drive up to Boordy Vineyards located in Hydes. This is one of the best wineries near Annapolis and in all of Maryland! Here you will find around 40 acres of grapes. This farm usually produces around 97,000 gallons of wine every year. It is also one of the best wineries in Maryland.
This is one of the only vineyards that is open on the weekdays too! Enjoy visiting this farm Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
As the oldest vineyard in Maryland, you will definitely want to visit this winery, even if it is a bit further out than Annapolis. Boordy’s Vineyards has won a variety of awards throughout the years, including the Maryland Governor’s Cup.
You can sample their outstanding wine from inside an incredible 19th-century fieldstone barn. They have four different wine tastings to choose from. Each has a variety of five wines that are 2 oz each.
You can do the wine tasting indoors or at their outdoor seating. Each is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. These wine tastings range from $12 to $20.
If you want, you can also go on a tour of the farm to see the vineyards, the winery, and the barrel cellar. The public tour is included with any wine tasting you choose and lasts around 40 minutes.
There is also a private Landmark Tour which offers a more in-depth tour of the vineyard and has a special wine tasting in the St. Vincent Room with a full charcuterie board filled with local meat, cheese, and bread. This tour is $30 per person.
This is one of the best wineries close to Annapolis, MD that you will definitely want to visit.
4. The Vineyards at Dodon
The Vineyards at Dodon is also about 30 minutes from Annapolis and another one of the best wineries near Annapolis, MD. You will find this vineyard in Davidsonville.
With over 31,000 vines on 17 acres of vineyards, this farm can produce some of the finest wine in Maryland. They work very hard to create certain conditions that will help grow the following international vinifera varieties:
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Petit Verdot
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
You can enjoy a tour of the farm and have wine tasting when you make an appointment. During the tour, you will learn about the farm’s history and will go through the process of learning exactly how they make their wine.
There are two types of tours. During the Collectors Tour and Tasting, enjoy drinking from the current releases of Dodon’s limited edition Collectors wines: Drum Point, Dungannon, and Oronoco.
This is a seated tasting that also comes with cheese and charcuterie and takes about an hour and a half. This tour costs $75 per person.
You can also enjoy the Introductory Tour and Tasting, which costs $40 per person. At the start of the tour, you will receive a glass of Dodon’s Rosé.
After going through the farm and wine tour, you will end with a seated wine tasting which includes Dodon Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and South Slope.
Come visit this farm on Saturdays and Sundays and enjoy a more relaxed winery experience.
5. Black Ankle Vineyard
Located a bit over an hour from Annapolis, you will find Black Ankle Vineyard in Mount Airy. The vineyard is close to 30 acres, with 12 varieties of grapes grown here. With various tours and wine tastings to choose from, this winery also makes the top of the list.
Every Friday, you can enjoy live music and a food truck at this vineyard while sipping on your wine and relaxing with friends. Sit out by the fire pit and cuddle up in a blanket while watching the sunset or enjoy a warm seat inside.
Try a new wine at their tasting bar, or grab one of the wine flights they offer. The wine flights vary each week with what is available but range from white, red, and mixed wine.
They also offer unique, specialized tours and tastings for your group, so you can have a customized, personal experience as well.
The hours for this winery are different every day and are as follows:
- Monday: 12 pm to 5 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 12 pm to 5 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm to 5 pm
- Friday: 11 am to 8:30 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
This is a fun farm to visit with your friends and enjoy the lively environment during the week. The Black Ankle Vineyard is both dog-friendly and kid-friendly too!
6. Fridays Creek Winery
In Owings, Maryland, visit Fridays Creek Winery, which is about 45 minutes from Annapolis. Enjoy a traditional winery experience with the beautiful vineyard and rustic barn features at this farm.
Fridays Creek Winery is open from Thursday to Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Grab some locally made wine through samples or by the glass or bottle. The tasting room is located in the big red barn, but you can also enjoy some wine outside in their picnic section as well.
This is the perfect location to host a small celebration and even a rustic-themed wedding. If you want to visit a small farm, head over to the Fridays Creek Winery.
7. Love Point Vineyards and Winery
Love Point Vineyards and Winery is about 25 minutes away from Annapolis and is another great winery to check out. It is located right by Chester River and offers stunning views while you sip your wine and relax.
The owners of this winery met and fell in love all on a vineyard, so vineyards are very special to them. They bought the land and created what is now known as Love Point Vineyards.
It is open on weekends from 12 pm to 5 pm. You can grab some wine flights and enjoy sipping on local wine in their outside seating selection. While you cannot bring outside food, they have charcuterie boards that pair perfectly with their wine.
Come out to this romantic vineyard with your spouse to enjoy a peaceful wine that was made out of love just for you.
8. Cascia Vineyards & Winery
About 20 minutes away from Annapolis, you will find Cascia Vineyards and Winery located in Stevensville, Maryland. Here you will find around 20 different wines, both red and white, to enjoy!
This vineyard is a big supporter of its community and has plenty of fun events all year long. For instance, head over there on Sundays and relax to yoga and wine out on the farm.
The Cascia Vineyards and Winery have won tons of awards throughout the year, both for the vineyard itself and for its incredible wine. Visit the tasting room every Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm and enjoy sampling some delicious wine you won’t find anywhere else!
9. Two Lions Vineyards
Two Lions Vineyards is a romantic place to visit any time of the year. This vineyard is located in Upper Marlboro and is roughly 40 minutes away from Annapolis. It is open on Saturdays from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Here you can go on a tour of the vineyard, relax with friends while drinking wine, and host a private event such as a wedding or family gathering. This vineyard offers both walk-ins and reservations to their tasting room.
While sipping on their incredibly sweet and fruity wine, you can also enjoy a charcuterie board with a variety of foods to pair with your wine selection.
This is a smaller vineyard that allows up to six people in the tasting room at a time, as well as outside seating unless you book a private event with them beforehand.
They offer wine tastings and vineyard tours for a fun time out with friends and family. Dogs are even allowed outside if you keep them on a leash!
10. Basignani Winery
Basignani Winery is a family-owned vineyard and winery located in the rolling hills of Baltimore County, Maryland. The basis of the success at Basignani is the commitment to creating quality wines from Maryland-grown vineyards.
The winery produces a variety of red and white wines, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Gewurztraminer.
All the grapes used in production are locally grown in Maryland’s scenic Chesapeake wine region.
Basignani Winery is known for its warm, family-oriented atmosphere, and visitors can tour the winery’s grounds as well as sample some of their delicious wines. The Basignani tasting room features a wide selection of wines by the glass and bottle to choose from.
Visitors can also purchase bottles of wine to take home with them.
FAQs on Wineries in Annapolis
What is Annapolis famous for?
Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, is famous for several reasons:
United States Naval Academy: One of the city’s primary claims to fame is its association with the United States Naval Academy. This is also one of our favorite indoor things to do in Maryland.
Historic Charm: Annapolis is a historic city with a charming and well-preserved downtown area. It boasts numerous historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and 18th-century architecture, making it a popular destination for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.
Maryland State House: Annapolis houses the Maryland State House, which is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use in the United States.
Sailing and Maritime Heritage: With its location on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is a hub for sailing and has a strong maritime heritage.
What is the oldest winery in Maryland?
he oldest winery in Maryland is Boordy Vineyards. Boordy Vineyards, located in the Long Green Valley region of Baltimore County, was established in 1945 by Philip and Jocelyn Wagner. It is considered Maryland’s oldest continuously operating winery.
Final thoughts on Best Wineries in Annapolis, Maryland
These are just some of the best wineries in Annapolis, Maryland and its surrounding area. With over 100 wineries to choose from in Maryland, you are sure to find amazing local wine and special vineyards that make for a great place to visit.
Head over to any of these wineries in and near Annapolis and enjoy a relaxing time sipping on delicious wine.
