Pop the cork and pour out the fun at the 16th Annual Wine in the Woods.
“Wine festivals are a great way to learn about wines,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “It?s not something you have to be pretentious about; you just need to taste it.”
Sponsored by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, the event drew more than 24,000 visitors last year, all looking to taste reds, whites and blushes from around the region.
This year, 19 wineries from all over Maryland will hand out samples of their finest wines. “Rarely do you have 90 different wines to choose from.You are paying a flat fee to get in, and then you can try whatever wine you like,” Atticks said. “It?s something you can?t do in a wine bar or restaurant.”
Mary Ellen Baker, Wine in the Woods chairwoman, emphasized that all of the wineries participating are local. “Highlighting Maryland wineries has been a tradition from the beginning. They helped us produce this 16 years ago and have stayed with us all this time,” she said. “We are an integral part of each other at this point. This is something special we do for the state, and it makes us unique.”
Crafters and artisans will have an array of upscale wine-related crafts including stained glass art, photography, digital art, blacksmithing, woodworking, jewelry, baskets and home and garden decor. Restaurant Row features more than 15 area vendors serving everything from appetizers to desserts. The event will also offer educational wine-tasting seminars for those who need a little schooling in the world of fine wine.
Baker said that Wine in the Woods has proven to be a popular event with travelers. “We have people coming from Canada, Maine, Florida ? all up and down the Eastern seaboard. Some are doing girlfriends? weekends, some are doing high school reunions, some are going to Preakness.”
WHERE: Symphony Woods, 5950 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia
WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. today and Sunday
TICKETS: $20 to $25
