We enjoyed a great review in The Washington Post last week. The story -- Five local wineries where the experience is about more than just what’s in your glass -- was a pleasant place to find a fitting synopsis of our vision in a few beautifully-descriptive sentences.
"For all the media attention and on-trend practices, Old Westminster’s Carroll County tasting room is a remarkably attitude-free place to sample and learn about wine.”
Relevant… attitude-free… a place to learn… All things we’ve cared about since inception.
“A diverse group of wine lovers gathers around a long bar hewed from a 200-year-old white oak or shares bottles around communal tables decorated with Mason jars of flowers."
Yep, that’s us!
Cultured but unpretentious
The story goes on to compare our wine experience with Linden (an east coast legend) and RdV (who spares no expense to draw comparisons with iconic producers in Napa and Bordeaux). We’ll take it.
At the same time, we're the fun place to go :)
"The atmosphere at Old Westminster, which includes live music and food trucks on Fridays and Sundays, stands in contrast to some of the region’s other lauded but more restrictive wineries. Linden, one of the area’s most decorated wineries, only allows ‘Friends of Linden’ — those who buy their wine by the case — to sip on-site on Saturdays and Sundays, and doesn’t allow groups larger than four. RdV, in Delaplane, is open ‘by reservation only,’ and requires the advance purchase of a $65 tour-and-tasting package."
I love how the comparison goes on to mention our sans-pretense price points: "The reasonably priced tasting — $10 for five samples — showcases a broad variety of Old Westminster’s products."
Beyond all of the energy that goes into our farming and products, a lot of thought goes into the full experience which includes price points and aesthetics and we’re thrilled that WaPo captured this about us.
A year-round experience
As we head into winter I’d love to emphasize that this is who we are all year round. In addition to our standard tasting experience and delicious cheese, charcuterie, and snack selections, we're broadening our offerings!
Artisan Cocktails
Everything we do at our tasting room is centered on our overarching goal to connect our community to the land through a glass of wine… and now through rotating seasonal cocktails! Join us in the Tasting Room to enjoy artisan cocktails made from estate spirits and other Maryland-grown ingredients. We will be releasing two new cocktail recipes each month – one light & bright, the second bold & rich, as well as “mocktails” for those who want to have some fun while staying sober. So reach out to friends old and new – join us in our tasting room for an expanded experience that is both fun and relaxing.
Wild Cider
We’ve been growing & fermenting grapes for the better part of a decade now and we’ve always loved the kindred nature of cider. We’ve released a few experimental ciders over the last year, and it seems y’all just can’t get enough! We’re thrilled to offer wild cider made from local heirloom apples, fermented with wild yeast and aged in giant American Oak casks.
Come see what all the buzz is about!
Tasting Room Hours: Thursdays & Fridays (4 - 9 PM), Saturdays & Sundays (11 AM - 4:30 PM)
Join our family! Sign up for the Cru Club.