In the gently rolling hills of Carroll County, Black Ankle Vineyards is setting new standards for Maryland wine. Fueled by the belief that it's the combination of terrain as well as the right grapes for Maryland's climate that make the best wine, Black Ankle owners Sarah O'Herron and Ed Boyce spent years searching Maryland's fields and farms, testing soil and conferring with consultants to find the right land before settling on the Mount Airy property that they farm biodynamically. We're glad they were so meticulous. The winery was the first in Maryland to plant lesser known whites such as Gruner Veltliner and Albariño, components of its Bedlam blend, and its 2006 Crumbling Rock, a Bordeaux-blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot won the 2008 Maryland Governor's Cup. Pick a brilliant fall weekend and drive to the Mount Airy winery to taste the wines at the source in the eco-friendly tasting room.
