The 2012 Maryland Wine & Grape Industry Annual Meeting was held
Friday & Saturday, February 24 & 25 at the Clarion Hotel in Oxon Hill (Prince George's County).
|
- Past Annual Meeting Photos -
|
|
Over 150 Maryland grape growers, winery owners, viticulture and enology experts, and others interested in the wine industry in Maryland gathered in Ellicott City on February 3rd for the Maryland Wine and Grape Industry Annual Meeting and Dinner.
|
|
|
To better accommodate the steadily increasing numbers of grape growers and wineries, the meeting - for the first time - offered split sessions. One group of sessions focused primarily on viticultural matters, while the other dealt with winery related issues.
|
Viticultural topics included soil chemistry and soil preparation, grapevine rootstocks, pruning methods, and growers' experiences with uncommon grape varieties. On the winery side, tank and barrel management, fining and finishing methods, branding and winery trails were the subject of discussion.
One of the more spirited portions of the meeting was the Research Wine Evaluation conducted by state viticultural specialist Dr. Joe Fiola. It allowed everyone a chance taste and comment on several 'experimental' wines made from yet-to-be-named grape varieties. Besides the somewhat colorful commentary provided by local vintners, the popularity of this wine evaluation was undoubtedly due to wide spectrum and high quality of the wines presented.
The highlight of the evening social and dinner was the presentation of two MGGA Veraison Awards. This year's recipients were former Maryland Governor Robert Erhlich, and former Maryland Department of Agriculture Lewis Riley.
|
Pictured here accepting the award for both recipients is assistant secretary for the office of marketing, animal industries and consumer services at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Pat McMillan. Earlier during the day Rolf Schultz of Agriliance was also given the Veraison Award.
|
|
|
With the MGGA membership surpassing the 300 mark, and Maryland wineries numbering 26 (with 4+ expected to open in 2007), there's good reason to celebrate the steady and continued growth of the Maryland wine and grape industry. Cheers!
|
|
