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Frederick Wine Trail Guide

Explore 12+ wineries across Frederick County's rolling hills and mountains. From downtown tasting rooms to scenic vineyards, discover Maryland's premier wine trail experience.

12+ Wineries
90 Acres of Grapes
50 Mile Loop

About the Frederick Wine Trail

Frederick County is home to approximately 15 wineries cultivating about 90 acres of grapes amid the region's rolling hills and mountains. The wine trail offers diverse experiences, from urban downtown tasting rooms to intimate mountain vineyards with sweeping views.

Many wineries are estate-grown, producing wines from grapes specifically suited to Frederick's climate and soil. The trail features clusters of wineries that make for efficient touring, including the east cluster (Loew, Elk Run, Black Ankle), the Catoctin area wineries, and downtown options.

🍷 Estate-Grown Wines

Most wineries grow their own grapes, producing wines unique to Frederick's terroir.

🏔️ Scenic Settings

Mountain views, rolling hills, and pastoral farms create beautiful tasting environments.

🎉 Events & Entertainment

Live music, festivals, and release parties throughout the year.

💒 Wedding Venues

Many wineries offer stunning settings for weddings and special events.

Downtown Frederick

Start your wine trail in the heart of downtown with urban tasting rooms.

Downtown is the easiest entry point if you want a lower-commitment tasting day. It works especially well for couples, weekend visitors, and anyone who wants to pair a tasting room stop with dinner reservations, shopping, or a walk along Carroll Creek.

Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery & Distillery

Downtown

📍 11836 Auburn Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788

📞 301-271-0099

Wines: Premium wines plus beer and spirits
Tasting Room: Voted Frederick's best - indoor/outdoor with scenic mountain views
Hours: Fri 5-9pm, Sat/Sun 12-6pm
Best Time: Weekends for live music
Distance: 15 miles north of downtown
Visit Website →

Elk Run Vineyards & Winery

Downtown

📍 Mt. Airy/Frederick County area

📞 Check website

Wines: Premium varietals
Tasting Room: Rolling hills amid farms - indoor/outdoor
Hours: Check website for current hours
Best Time: Cluster with Loew and Black Ankle
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown
Visit Website →

Loew Vineyards

Downtown

📍 East of Frederick

📞 Check website

Wines: Local varietals
Tasting Room: Rural setting
Hours: Check website
Best Time: With Elk Run cluster
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown

Black Ankle Vineyards

Downtown

📍 East cluster

📞 Check website

Wines: Premium wines
Tasting Room: Scenic hills
Hours: Check website
Best Time: Group trail day
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown

Linganore Winecellars (Berrywine Plantations)

Downtown

📍 13601 Glissans Mill Rd., Mt. Airy, MD 21771

📞 301-831-5889

Wines: Family-operated varietals
Tasting Room: Winecellars setting
Hours: Check website - hosts events regularly
Best Time: Event weekends
Distance: 15 miles southeast of downtown
Visit Website →

Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard

Downtown

📍 7550 Green Valley Rd., Frederick, MD 21701

📞 301-660-8735

Wines: Grape varieties suited to local soil and climate
Tasting Room: Farm setting with outdoor seating
Hours: Check website
Best Time: Weekdays for quieter farm experience
Distance: 10 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

Celebration Cellars Winery

Downtown

📍 9831 Fox Rd., Frederick, MD 21702

📞 240-812-WINE (9463)

Wines: Hand-crafted small-batch wines using traditional techniques
Tasting Room: Private destination high in Catoctin Mountains with sweeping views
Hours: By appointment only
Best Time: Sunset for views
Distance: 15-20 miles (Catoctin area)
Visit Website →

Mazzaroth Vineyard

Downtown

📍 8333 Myersville Rd., Middletown, MD 21769

📞 301-639-0333

Wines: Vineyard varietals
Tasting Room: Intimate and scenic
Hours: TEMPORARILY CLOSED - Check website for reopening updates
Best Time: Check website for reopening
Distance: 10 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery

Downtown

📍 8546 Pete Wiles Rd., Middletown, MD 21769

📞 301-473-3568

Wines: Complex honey wines (meads), unique red and white varietals
Tasting Room: Scenic in Middletown Valley - intimate
Hours: Check website
Best Time: Mead release seasons
Distance: 12 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

Simple Theory Wine Co.

Downtown

📍 37 N. Market St. Ste. 200, Frederick, MD 21701

📞 301-969-4446

Wines: Maryland's premier meadery - complex honey wines, unique red and white varietals
Tasting Room: Urban downtown setting
Hours: Check website
Best Time: Evenings in downtown
Distance: 0 miles (downtown)
Visit Website →

Six Wickets Vineyards

Downtown

📍 Catoctin Mountains (linked to Springfield Manor)

📞 301-271-0099

Wines: Premium wines from 15 acres
Tasting Room: Beautiful mountain setting
Hours: Fri-Sun (aligns with Springfield)
Best Time: Guided tours weekends
Distance: 15 miles north of downtown
Visit Website →

East Cluster

Three top-ranked wineries within 20 minutes of each other - perfect for a half-day tour.

The eastern side of the county is where the trail starts to feel more like a dedicated wine-country outing. Distances stay manageable, but the scenery shifts quickly from city-adjacent to vineyard views, making this cluster a strong choice for a focused half-day route.

Elk Run Vineyards & Winery

East Cluster

📍 Mt. Airy/Frederick County area

📞 Check website

Wines: Premium varietals
Tasting Room: Rolling hills amid farms - indoor/outdoor
Best Time: Cluster with Loew and Black Ankle
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown
Awards: Top-ranked
Visit Website →

Loew Vineyards

East Cluster

📍 East of Frederick

📞 Check website

Wines: Local varietals
Tasting Room: Rural setting
Best Time: With Elk Run cluster
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown
Awards: Top-ranked

Black Ankle Vineyards

East Cluster

📍 East cluster

📞 Check website

Wines: Premium wines
Tasting Room: Scenic hills
Best Time: Group trail day
Distance: 15 miles east of downtown
Awards: Highly ranked

Linganore Winecellars (Berrywine Plantations)

East Cluster

📍 13601 Glissans Mill Rd., Mt. Airy, MD 21771

📞 301-831-5889

Wines: Family-operated varietals
Tasting Room: Winecellars setting
Best Time: Event weekends
Distance: 15 miles southeast of downtown
Awards: Not listed
Visit Website →

After exploring the east cluster, consider heading south to discover more of Frederick's rural charm. The southern cluster offers a mix of farm and valley wineries, perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the countryside.

South Cluster

Farm and valley wineries south of downtown, perfect for rural vineyard experiences.

South of Frederick, the pace gets quieter and the landscape opens up. These stops are ideal when you want more of a countryside afternoon with room to linger over flights, scenic views, and a slower meal or picnic between tastings.

Linganore Winecellars (Berrywine Plantations)

South Cluster

📍 13601 Glissans Mill Rd., Mt. Airy, MD 21771

📞 301-831-5889

Wines: Family-operated varietals
Tasting Room: Winecellars setting
Best Time: Event weekends
Distance: 15 miles southeast of downtown
Visit Website →

Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard

South Cluster

📍 7550 Green Valley Rd., Frederick, MD 21701

📞 301-660-8735

Wines: Grape varieties suited to local soil and climate
Tasting Room: Farm setting with outdoor seating
Best Time: Weekdays for quieter farm experience
Distance: 10 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

Mazzaroth Vineyard

South Cluster

📍 8333 Myersville Rd., Middletown, MD 21769

📞 301-639-0333

Wines: Vineyard varietals
Tasting Room: Intimate and scenic
Best Time: Check website for reopening
Distance: 10 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery

South Cluster

📍 8546 Pete Wiles Rd., Middletown, MD 21769

📞 301-473-3568

Wines: Complex honey wines (meads), unique red and white varietals
Tasting Room: Scenic in Middletown Valley - intimate
Best Time: Mead release seasons
Distance: 12 miles south of downtown
Visit Website →

For a more scenic and adventurous experience, head north to the Catoctin Mountains. This cluster offers breathtaking views, hiking opportunities, and a chance to explore the region's natural beauty.

Catoctin Mountain Area

Mountain wineries with sweeping views, perfect for combining with hiking.

This is the most scenic part of the wine trail and the best fit for travelers who want the day to feel more immersive than purely tasting-driven. The mountain setting makes these wineries easy to pair with overlooks, trails, and a longer scenic drive.

Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery & Distillery

Mountain Views

📍 11836 Auburn Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788

📞 301-271-0099

Wines: Premium wines plus beer and spirits
Tasting Room: Voted Frederick's best - indoor/outdoor with scenic mountain views
Hours: Fri 5-9pm, Sat/Sun 12-6pm
Best Time: Weekends for live music
Distance: 15 miles north of downtown
Awards: Voted Frederick's best
Visit Website →

Celebration Cellars Winery

Mountain Views

📍 9831 Fox Rd., Frederick, MD 21702

📞 240-812-WINE (9463)

Wines: Hand-crafted small-batch wines using traditional techniques
Tasting Room: Private destination high in Catoctin Mountains with sweeping views
Hours: By appointment only
Best Time: Sunset for views
Distance: 15-20 miles (Catoctin area)
Awards: Not listed
Visit Website →

Six Wickets Vineyards

Mountain Views

📍 Catoctin Mountains (linked to Springfield Manor)

📞 301-271-0099

Wines: Premium wines from 15 acres
Tasting Room: Beautiful mountain setting
Hours: Fri-Sun (aligns with Springfield)
Best Time: Guided tours weekends
Distance: 15 miles north of downtown
Awards: Top-quality noted
Visit Website →

Planning Your Wine Trail Day

Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day East Cluster

  • Start at Elk Run Vineyards
  • Visit Loew Vineyards
  • End at Black Ankle Vineyards
  • Total time: 4-5 hours
  • Distance: 15 miles from downtown

Downtown + South

  • Start at Simple Theory (downtown)
  • Drive to Hidden Hills Farm
  • Visit Mazzaroth Vineyard
  • End at Orchid Cellar
  • Total time: 5-6 hours

Mountain Adventure

  • Morning hike in Catoctin Park
  • Lunch at Springfield Manor
  • Afternoon at Celebration Cellars
  • Sunset tasting
  • Total time: Full day

Tips for Wine Trail Success

  • Designated Driver: Always have a designated driver or use rideshare/tour services.
  • Call Ahead: Many wineries require appointments, especially smaller ones.
  • Pace Yourself: Plan 2-3 wineries per day for a relaxed experience.
  • Food: Many wineries have picnic areas - pack snacks or check for food trucks.
  • Weather: Outdoor tastings are weather-dependent - have indoor backup plans.
  • Purchase Bottles: Support local wineries by purchasing wines to enjoy at home.
  • Join Clubs: Wine clubs offer exclusive access and discounts on purchases.
  • Combine Activities: Pair wine tastings with hiking, dining, or shopping.

Seasonal Events

Spring

  • Vineyard awakening events
  • New release parties
  • Easter celebrations
  • Spring festival tastings

Summer

  • Live music weekends
  • Sunset tastings
  • Outdoor concerts
  • Harvest preview events

Fall

  • Grape harvest festivals
  • Crush celebrations
  • Fall foliage tastings
  • Halloween events

Winter

  • Cozy indoor tastings
  • Holiday wine events
  • Valentine's celebrations
  • Winter wine releases