Absolutely loved Orchid Cellar! The property is beautiful and peaceful, with gorgeous vineyard…read moreviews and such a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the mead and wine tasting was such a fun experience. The entire time I kept thinking what an absolutely beautiful wedding venue this would be... hopefully for myself someday! The scenery, outdoor space, and rustic charm would make such a gorgeous setting for a special day. Definitely a hidden gem and a place I would happily come back to.

We had the best time trying out meads with Mike! The POG (passion fruit, orange, and guava) is…read moreoutstanding. There are options that aren't gluten free, so be careful. The grounds are nice. We sat outside and enjoyed our selections.

Had a fantastic time with the very knowledgeable staff and high-quality wines. We will be returning…read moresoon!

If you're looking for a big, fancy winery with a bustling tasting room, this isn't for you. But if…read moreyou want a very friendly place where the owner (Ed) will greet you at the parking lot and take you on a terrific golf cart tour - up close and personal with the grapes used to make the wine you'll soon be sipping - Six Wicket (tastings by appointment only) is superb. After the golf cart tour, which features wonderful mountain views (SW is high up, not far from Camp David but reasonably close to route 70), Ed will stop at his beloved croquet court and invite you to partake. Do: it's a blast. Then you can choose an indoor or outdoor tasting location (bring your own nibbles; there's no food served here) and check out some excellent wines including a delicious Cab Franc in Slovenian Oak and a fine Petit Verdot, among others. Coming soon: a Gruner Veltliner!

We are long-time members and things have changed consistently at Black Ankle and always for the…read morebetter! The vineyard always will be a beautiful place to enjoy great wine, people watch, enjoy well behaved dogs, and break bread with friends and family. The creation of the patios through and beyond the pandemic was a great move. The vistas never disappoint, the charcuteries boards with fresh baked bread have always complimented the wine well, the food trucks and various vendors have always been fun, but a piece was missing. That piece has been added! We were pleasantly surprised to find The Terrace Kitchen by Chef Tony Castellon delivering an elevated menu with options from homemade chocolate chip cookies to The Amalfi Toast featuring a personal fav boquerones. There are options on that menus that are to die for including veg options as expected. Note: There are chilled vegan options inside ask the desk. We enjoyed the Mediterranean inspired with Japanese twist Char-Siu Skewer with ponzu aioli, and lemon wedge dipped in a (chili, paprika, cumin dust?) was perfect to balance out the skewers. Damn tasty lamb and beef the squeeze of the lemon and spice perfected it. The Crispy Potatoes were a delight, not too heavy or greasy, nice char, and full of flavor delivered by the lardon, green onion, and melted Gruyere . Very satisfying, would order again. The Amalfi Toast is a do not miss IMO. For the uninitiated, boquerones are Spanish white sardine filets cured in acid then packed in olive oil. Unlike the premium salty boney tinned sardines available in the US, the result is a delicate cured white sardine filet over toasted focaccia coated with whipped buffalo milk garlic butter and fresh herbs. Outrageous food my friends, just delicious. Thank you Chef! Your CA roots are showing. The chocolate chip cookies were very good. We missed the duck taco special on the board which I would have tried no matter what. If it was a confit duck taco, well IYKYK. So kudos to Black Ankle Vineyards and Chef Tony Castellon. The future is bright with this new partnership. Looking forward to returning more often to catch live music and enjoy it all. P. S. Heather Aubrey Lloyd performing solo on guitar and playing many 79's and 80's covers was a great addition to our experience. Please tip these performers, you can hit her up on her website if you did not bring cash: https://heatheraubreylloyd.com/tipping

Representing the DMV runner-up to out of town pick for letter B for 2025, B is for Black Ankle…read moreVineyards. My girlfriend & I visited Black Ankle on a Saturday in September 2025. We were out somewhat in this direction, and there was a Meetup group going here, so we thought to check it out as it's rare we ever go to a winery as it's normally out of the way, more likely of an occurrence when on a vacation. We took some crazy back roads from where we were in western Howard County, through Carroll, & into eastern Frederick County, where Black Ankle is. We went to the bar inside to get wines. I got a white wine; I think Chardonnay, and I think my girlfriend got a sweeter Rose or something like that. Both were delicious, but we preferred our own more. We sat outside in a nice patio area. We were in the hot Sun on that sunny day, but that was cool with me. We learned of a tour going on, which we got in on. The tour guide who wore an Italian flag bowtie was entertaining and informative. We walked around the vineyard, going inside the cooled storage areas, centrifuge area where the wine is mixed, etc. We even saw some of the old wines they had made from years earlier. We saw sheep dogs, which protect the vineyard from pests, which were cute. Overall, this is a high quality winery with plenty of nice outside & inside seating.

Very nice vineyard. I found their glass of wine to be a bit expensive, but the chardonnay I…read morepurchased was fine. The grounds are rather hilly. It's a beautiful setting, and sits next to a regional park with a nice hiking trail. Parking here is a bit tricky they have more than one lot. Just know walking about the grounds isn't the easiest because of the hills. (Elders may find walking about difficult). There was a small wedding taking place during my visit, which added to the charm of the setting.

Paradise Springs Winery is such a beautiful spot, especially if you're looking to spend a relaxing…read moreday outdoors. The grounds are amazing--surrounded by trees and rolling hills, with a vineyard nearby that really adds to the atmosphere. On a nice day, it definitely gets busy--almost every picnic table was taken when we visited--but there was still plenty of seating inside and on the patio. They had a food truck on site, and you can also order charcuterie platters at the counter. I liked that you can bring your own picnic too (just no outside alcohol). They are also dog-friendly! I was a little surprised to see so many kids, but thankfully parents were keeping a close eye on them, so it didn't take away from the experience. There's a solid selection of wines available by the bottle or as tasting flights, so it's easy to find something you like. Tastings at the bar with a wine educator are a nice touch, though they can be a bit limited if the place is really crowded. The only downside was that they seemed a bit short-staffed during, so tables weren't cleared as quickly as they could be. That said, there are plenty of trash cans and bottle bins around, so it's easy enough to help keep things tidy. Overall, a great place to unwind with friends, enjoy some wine, and soak in the scenery--just be prepared for crowds on nice days!

We just stayed at the Stone Manor Inn ("SMI") this past weekend and had a lovely time. We were in…read moretown for a family reunion and hosted a dinner party at SMI one evening that was among the highlights of the family weekend. Manisha and Prashsant, owners of Stone Manor Inn, were personally involved in making sure all went smoothly with our cocktail and dinner party, and it most certainly did! SMI is a lovely old country inn on 14 acres, I believe, with a number of different venues (indoors and out) for meetings, parties, and weddings. The rooms (7 in total) were eclectic, in a good way. All four of their largest rooms that we occupied were spacious, with king beds and spa tubs with separate showers. All were well maintained and clean upon check-in. We had no complaints. I'm not sure when we will return to the area, but when we do, we will not hesitate to return!

Fantastic Inn, fantastic location - nice and quiet, expansive, plenty of room to walk and enjoy,…read moregorgeous rooms and accommodations. The food is absolutely top-notch. I've not had such excellent Indian food (the menu the particular night we stayed) in a very long time, and I love Indian food. The hosts and service are fantastic as well; very personable, friendly, easygoing, and attentive.

Sugarloaf Winery would have been perfect if the weather had been nicer. We visited with a large…read moregroup of 10+ people, and while the indoor space felt a bit tight but cozy, it ultimately was not enough room for a group our size. That said, it actually would have been great for a big group if the weather were good, since there is tons of outdoor seating available. The staff was friendly and the ambiance was great. I really loved that they had live music outside, but it was too windy for me to sit and fully enjoy it. I ended up staying for only a couple of songs and wished I could have stayed longer. An interesting setup is that wine flights are purchased outside, while glasses are picked up inside, which was a bit unexpected but easy enough once you figure it out. The wines were nice, nothing that really stood out in a good or bad way, but very enjoyable overall and perfect for a beautiful day spent outdoors. The crab fries my friends ordered from the food truck outside was fun to eat too, definitely satisfactory for those with munchies when you drink. Overall, this feels like an ideal spot for smaller groups indoors or larger groups when the weather cooperates. I would definitely come back on a nicer day to fully enjoy the outdoor space.

I have been here a few times checking out the local music scene while enjoying the summer rays…read moreoutside. I just noticed that even though I have visited here before, it is my first time writing a review for this spot. The only thing I usually get here is their Sangria, since they don't serve wines, I prefer. When we visit, we always get a table closer to wherever the musician is playing as it is now covered and enjoy the food from whatever the visiting food truck is on that day. For our recent visit, the food truck was DM Sliders, and the musician was Shane Gamble. The day we visited was a relaxed day and so we enjoyed it. Food was good. Music was even better. The employees I came in contact with have always been very helpful. Parking is plenty in their lot.

I have family that lives 30 minutes away so anytime we visit we always stop by the winery. This has…read morebecome one of my favorite wineries. The vineyard is gorgeous and the wine is incredible. My favorite is their petit verdot. The wine is a bit pricey but the quality is unmatched. They had live music when we recently visited. I've never purchased any food but I've brought my own.

Met a buddy in Columbia for beer and in our discussion, we started taking wine, from Paso Robles to…read moreMaryland. He told me Maryland specialized in Cabernet Franc and Viognier and I knew nothing about Big Cork prior to arrival, but dad it was named as a top 10 tasting room by USA Today. Bold claim, especially coming from California. It was an absolutely beautiful day to visit Big Cory on Sunday. U called to confirm I didn't need a reservation, was told I didn't. That was nice, so I continued my drive to the winery, following three other vehicles that turned into the winery grounds. Ample parking, stunning grounds and views of the surrounding area. A big white building with a surround patio greeted me as I walked in, taking in the ambiance of the place. It was busy with patrons sitting outside, standing at mo sitting at the bar. I was greeted by an English chap, names Andy who said he works be right with me. Gave me a few minutes to look around and take in the experience. Andy greeted me and told me to grab any seat. Told him o was new to Maryland wine, as it was my first time at any winery outside of Paso Robles. I guts my expectations were high but I dialed them back as I ordered my tasting flight. Not a big white fan, I was impressed I'm with their Chardonnay, not buttery like the California. It was light, crisp and fruity. A very well done white. In fact I enjoyed it more than the Sauvignon Blanc, which if drinking a white I usually lean towards. Found this a bit too sweet. On to the reds, which is what I was reliably looking forward to. Andy took time to explain each wine, some characteristics and processes behind each glass. Their Meritage, a red blend was okay but was missing something for my liking. I did however enjoy the Cab Franc as single varietal. Never got to the Siberian Ice but was treated to the Syrah, Nebbiolo and Black Label Malbec. Those last two tasting were wonderful. My tastings done, I ordered a glass of the Rose Brut as I took care of Andy and my bill. I did walk out with a bottle of Chardonnay and Cab Franc. Overall a wonderful tasting with some good wines. Worth checking out but being from Paso I'm not going out of my way to find East Coast wines. I know what my palate enjoys but a little change now and then can be a good thing. If I get t girlfriend out, we will be back.

Wine, food truck, live music and a breathtaking view! I kinda summed it all up right there!…read more Grab a chair, sip on wine, listen to the live band and breathe in that fresh air and be grateful we're alive!

We had a great visit to the winery last weekend. Service was awesome and the wines were very good…read more They offer flights, by the glass and bottle. They also offer small snacks and sometimes have foodtrucks Plenty of parking, lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Live music, check their schedule My rating rationale  +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value

If looking for a winery with excellent hospitality, a beautiful view, and delicious wine look no…read morefurther! Heather warmly welcomed us, showed us around, and introduced us to the many wines. She graciously answered our questions and served us water, as we made our tasting selections. Michael served some of our wines and shared lots of insightful information about the wines we had selected. After our tasting, we sat outside by the fire pit for a bit and enjoyed the view. The drive up to the winery takes you off the beaten path and onto a gravel road, keep following the signs with the grapes that will lead you to the winery (a house), park in the driveway and prepare to enjoy the hospitality, view, and wine!

We ordered all of the wine for our November 1 wedding through Celebration -- Heather was an…read moreabsolute gem to work with and treated us so kindly! We found them while looking for a welcome party venue, and while that didn't work out, we were so pleased that we could still work with them as a vendor! The wine was outstanding and the service was even better!

This place was so wonderful. I took my family to the farms in Maryland to go apple picking in the…read morefall. We were looking for a place that the kids and adults would equally enjoy. I was surprised to see this winery so close to the Maryland border and we headed over. It is such a relaxing atmosphere and a great spot if you're visiting with kids. The winery has large fields that they can run around and the staff was so warm. When we visited, they had extra desserts they were giving out since they had an event. It was such a nice touch and my kids went back (multiple times!) to help themselves to the pumpkin cake. They even gave us a bag of cookies to take with us. The menu was also a hit for the kids. They offer a cheese flatbread pizza, and for the adults, we enjoyed the goat cheese pizza drizzled with red wine vinaigrette. The spinach artichoke dip was also a hit. My partner and I also did wine flights. I decided to do the red flight while my partner did the classic flight. Of the wines, the un-oaked chardonnay was our favorite. For the reds, I liked the cabernet franc, which grows so well in Virginia and you can't go wrong. This place is great in the summer with it's large outdoor deck. But also seems like a fabulous spot in the winter with its large fireplace and comfortable couches. We'd love to come back!

Our first visit here…read more 1. Reservation: not needed, just stop by 2. Wine: its 3.5 stars out of 5. I liked their whites and straight up hated their bourbon barrel reds. I didn't even drink it. 3. Food: 3 stars - Bruschetta- 3 stars. The taste of the 'sauce' is good, but they have like bunch of hard toasted bread and put the topping of the bruschetta like a salsa in a bowl. That is not the usual way to deliver and the ratio of the bread to sauce is terrible. You can put 1 teeny dice of tomato on a big slice of baguette sorta ratio. - Arugula prosciutto flatbread: 4 stars It is actually pretty good with its hot honey 4. Service: 4 stars. They are professional 5. Ambiance: clean, tall ceilings, wood interior. Not much area to walk around, it would have been great if you could walk around the winery. Air is crisp and clear. that was actually very nice.