Summary
Let's celebrate Robert Thompson and Joan Cartier, grape growers at Links Bridge Vineyard in Maryland. Discover their journey, successes, and advice in producing outstanding wines. Join us as we explore their story!
April 2024 Grower Highlight – Robert Thompson and Joan Cartier of Links Bridge Vineyard
Maryland’s wine industry is one of inspiration and ingenuity. There are many growers who deserve to be recognized, so that is just what I am going to do each month! Once a month, a Maryland grape grower will be highlighted to tell their story, give them a platform to speak to what they feel is important in the industry, or to take the opportunity and discuss whatever they would like!
Meet this months Growers
This month I’d like to introduce Robert Thompson and Joan Cartier, a grape growing couple that have been a part of the MGGA since 2006. They have been growing grapes since 2008 at their farm, Links Bridge Vineyards, located in Thurmont. Their story began when they purchased a working farm in the mountains. They spent weekends renovating the farmhouse and watching the local farmers cultivate their land and thought to themselves, “What can we grow?” After attending some MGGA meetings and with help from Dr. Joe Fiola, they decided to plant their first vines in two blocks they named Riverside and Hillside. They planted a variety of grapes on their property aimed at crafting balanced red blends and bright dry whites. Riverside grows Albariño, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and a few experimental rows of Marquette that they’ve had great results with. Hillside grows Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. They are also extremely excited about their newest planting, Chestnut Hill Vineyard. This ambitious planting grows Chardonel, Petit Mensing, Vidal Blanc, Albariño, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Petit Verdot. Be sure to look for wines grown here; it is a tremendous site!
About Robert and Joan
Starting out, they cultivated these grapes themselves and only brought in outside help for large jobs. They have always taken pride in their work and love spending time in the vines. Joan’s favorite jobs in the vineyard are pruning and leaf pulling. Her background as a scientist has lent itself tremendously to close observation and detailed work in the vineyard and cellar. Bob has always been fascinated by seeing which insect will terrorize the East Coast next, having grown through the introduction of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Japanese Beetle and most recently the Spotted Winged Lanternfly. Both Bob and Joan cherish harvest with a special affection, seeing their handiwork come into the cellar and tasting the potential of the wines they will craft. Their operation has grown in recent years, and they have hired full-time staff who help them in the vineyard during spring/summer and in the cellar during fall/winter. When they are not growing grapes you can find Joan painting and drawing and Bob sketching landscaping plans for their tasting room. However, they both enjoy their grandchildren and love that they keep them busy in all their ‘spare time.’
Advice to new growers
As they look back over their grape growing career, their advice to a new grower would be to seek help from as many resources as possible and to never get behind on vineyard work. They would agree that timing is everything in the vineyard!
Check them out!
I would encourage everyone to make their way out to these grape growing pioneers in the Thurmont area to enjoy their delicious wines and beautiful views! Check out their website: Links Bridge Vineyard
Next Month
If you’d like to be featured in one of our monthly grape grower highlights, please reach out to me: glenn@m-avs.com. I love to get to know the wonderful people in our industry and relish the opportunity to promote others.