Old Westminster Named One of the 12 Best Wineries Across America in 2026
What are the best wineries to visit in America in 2026?
The Daily Meal includes Old Westminster Winery on its list of The 12 Best Wineries Across America in 2026, placing our family run Maryland winery alongside leading wine destinations from New York, Oregon, California, Texas, Virginia, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, and beyond.
For us, this recognition is meaningful because it speaks to both sides of what we’re building: serious Maryland grown wine and a farm hospitality experience worth traveling for.
One of America’s Best Winery Experiences Is in Maryland
The Daily Meal’s list focuses on wineries that offer exceptional wines and memorable visitor experiences. As the article notes, some wineries make wonderful wines, and some are delightful destinations, while the best manage to do both.
Old Westminster is honored to be included in that category.
In its feature, The Daily Meal describes Old Westminster as one of VinePair’s three Winery of the Year finalists in 2025 and says we are “at the forefront of spotlighting Maryland as a wine destination.” It also highlights our small family run operation, our decade plus of accolades, and our continued evolution as a winery helping push Maryland wine into new territory.
That is exactly the story we’ve been working to tell, one vintage and one guest experience at a time.
Maryland Wine Belongs on the National Map
For years, many wine drinkers assumed the best American wineries were found almost exclusively on the West Coast.
California, Oregon, and Washington deserve their reputations. Their wine cultures are deep, influential, and world class.
Still, the American wine map is much bigger than that.
The Daily Meal’s 2026 list includes wineries from across the country, showing that serious wine and memorable hospitality can come from many places. Maryland belongs in that conversation. Old Westminster being named one of the best wineries across America in 2026 helps make that clear.
What The Daily Meal Said About Old Westminster
The Daily Meal highlighted Old Westminster’s range, from familiar single varietal wines like Albariño and Cabernet Franc to blends, rosé, and dessert wines. The article also notes that our wines are helping push the potential of Maryland’s Frederick County into new territory.
It also points directly to the guest experience: seated tastings by reservation, private cabana rentals for groups, wood fired pizzas, seasonal small bites, wine flights, glasses, and bottles, all overseen by culinary director and acclaimed chef Tae Strain.
The line that means the most to us is simple: “Old Westminster should be on every wine-loving foodie’s bucket list.”
That’s the kind of recognition that reflects the full experience, not just the bottle.
A Family Run Winery With a Real Point of View
Old Westminster began as a family farm in Westminster, Maryland.
Siblings Lisa Hinton, Drew Baker, and Ashli Johnson set out to preserve the farm and build something meaningful from the land. More than a decade later, Old Westminster has grown into a nationally recognized winery, food destination, and gathering place rooted in Maryland agriculture.
Lisa leads winemaking. Drew leads farming and vineyard work. Ashli leads operations and hospitality. Together, the family has built a winery with a clear point of view: Maryland wine can be serious, expressive, joyful, and deeply connected to place.
That family foundation is still the heart of the experience.
Maryland Grown Wine, Wood Fired Food, and Farm Hospitality
A visit to Old Westminster is designed to feel complete.
Guests can reserve seated tastings, gather in private cabanas, enjoy wine flights, open bottles, share wood fired pizza, order seasonal small plates, and spend a long afternoon on the farm.
That combination is what makes the experience stand out.
It’s not just a tasting room.
It’s Maryland grown wine with food.
It’s vineyard hospitality with intention.
It’s a family farm shaped into a destination.
It’s a place where wine lovers and food lovers can gather around the same table.
Chef Tae Strain and the Next Culinary Chapter
The Daily Meal specifically mentions our culinary program under Chef Tae Strain.
That matters because food has become central to the Old Westminster experience. Our wood fired kitchen is built around Maryland seasons, local ingredients, and dishes that pair naturally with our wines. Think wood fired pizzas, seasonal small plates, local cheese, charcuterie, garden driven dishes, coffee, sweets, and food that belongs on a farm.
Wine tastes better with food. Food feels more meaningful when it is connected to agriculture. Hospitality becomes more memorable when the whole experience feels rooted in a real place.
That is the direction we’re continuing to build.
Why This Press Matters
Being named one of the 12 best wineries across America in 2026 is a major moment for Old Westminster, and it’s another signal that Maryland wine is no longer a side note.
This recognition joins a growing list of national press for Old Westminster: VinePair Winery of the Year finalist, VinePair’s number one rosé for 2026, one of VinePair’s best white wines for 2026, one of VinePair’s best orange wines for 2025, one of VinePair’s best red blends for 2025, one of VinePair’s best Malbecs for 2025, Wine Enthusiast’s best wineries to visit in Maryland, Eater DC’s best wineries near DC, and Cosmopolitan’s number 9 winery in America.
Taken together, these moments tell a clear story.
Maryland wine is here.
Old Westminster is helping lead the way.
One of the Best Wineries in America Is in Maryland
So, what are the best wineries to visit in America in 2026?
According to The Daily Meal, Old Westminster belongs on that list.
We’re proud to represent Maryland beside some of the country’s most iconic and exciting wine destinations. We’re even more proud to do it from our family farm in Carroll County, with Maryland grown wines, wood fired food, private cabanas, and hospitality rooted in agriculture.
One of America’s best winery experiences is in Maryland.
And we’d love to welcome you to the farm.
Plan Your Visit
Old Westminster Winery is located at 1550 Old Westminster Road in Westminster, Maryland. Join us for Maryland grown wine, seated tastings, private cabanas, wood fired food, wine flights, bottles, vineyard views, and a farm hospitality experience designed for long afternoons around the table.
Come see why The Daily Meal named Old Westminster one of the 12 best wineries across America in 2026.