Black Ankle Vineyards Open
Remember back in August when I wrote about that fabulous evening in downtown Frederick and I mentioned how VOLT’s sommelier, Aaron talked about how much he enjoyed the wines from Black Ankle Vineyards? At the time, the vineyard wasn’t open to the public and they were in the middle of building their tasting room. Well, as of October 4th, they are open. Regular hours are W-F, noon-5PM, Saturday, noon-6PM and Sundays, noon-5PM. From the Gazette:
A new winery in Mount Airy recently opened their tasting room doors, a culmination of years of preparation and research.
“It’s exciting getting the doors open and finally seeing it all coming together,” said Sarah O’Herron, co-owner of Black Ankle Vineyards with husband Ed Boyce.
The Silver Spring couple chose Mount Airy for their vineyard because of the way the land lies, the soil type and altitude, said O’Herron.
The vineyard, located on Black Ankle Road, was a 145-acre farm in 2002 when the couple bought it. Grapes were planted in the next few years, with the first harvest occurring in 2005.
The doors to their eco-friendly tasting room officially opened Oct. 4.
“We got our permits Friday afternoon, and said ‘OK, we’re opening,’” she said. O’Herron added there would be a grand opening celebration on Nov. 1.
You may remember that the FNP did a story last month about Black Ankle winning the top honor, the Governor’s Cup, at a statewide competition.
A panel of experienced wine judges agreed that Black Ankle, in Mount Airy, produced the best wine in Maryland for 2008 and awarded owners Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron top honors in the 19th Annual Maryland Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.
Black Ankle Vineyards’ “2006 Crumbling Rock” — a Bordeaux-blend — took the govenor’s cup. The awards were announced at last weekend’s 25th Anniversary Maryland Wine Festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
I can’t wait to try it!
