Fiore Winery

Guest blog post for Maryland Life Magazine - Maryland's Best.

Tucked between Harford County’s flourishing green landscape is Fiore Winery and its La Felicetta Vineyard, located in Pylesville, MD. Replicating its founder’s homeland, Fiore Winery looks as though it is a page torn from Italy’s most celebrated vacation guide. Wandering vines and flowers stray from the Vineyard’s enchanting gardens to climb its picturesque arbors and weave shade for visitors. The gorgeous farm and its tranquil temperament invite a whimsical atmosphere to Fiore Winery. 

The property’s output reaps the rich Italian tradition on which Michael Fiore founded it, in 1968 – “Maryland wine with an Italian accent.” While Italy’s youngest winemaker moved far from his title and his family’s established winemaking business (nearly twenty generations), to America, he asserts that he always planned to remain a prominent member of the viticulture industry.

In 2011 Fiore Winery celebrated its 25^th birthday. It is a family-run establishment that has stood the test of time by tenderly harvesting its grape varietals to yield handcrafted and award winning wine that reflect the Fiore Family’s rich history of wine making.

Fiore Winery invites visitors to explore the vineyard, sample its yield and ask the staff questions so that, they too, can experience the tradition and thrill that drives Michael Fiore’s business strategy. He explains, “[my only wish is that guests enjoy drinking wine as much as I enjoy making it.]”

Distillery Lane Ciderworks

Guest Blog post for Maryland Life Magazine - Maryland's Best

In 2008, Robin Miller and his wife Patty Power aspired to use the fertile soil that blankets 95 acres of registered Maryland historical property to birth something totally new for the state – Hard Cider. Spanning across 10 acres of the charming wooded destination is an orchard that harvests fresh fruit and big business for the new owners of Frederick County’s historic property, “The Encampment.” Dating back to 1840, the farm once housed Union soldiers during the Civil War Era. It is now home to over 2000 apple trees.

Surrounded by pastures and woods, Distillery Lane Ciderworks is a serene and picturesque destination. Peeking through green landscaping that shades and lines the property are the distant remains of whiskey and beer distilleries that were once abundent to the area and the farm's neighbors prior to prohibition. To maintain its rich history as a historical landmark, Miller conceptualized his new cider making facility to reflect the properties original foundation.

In 2008 Distillery Lane Ciderworks’ “Cider Barn” opened. Its historic appearance pleased the surrounding community and its traditional atmosphere continues to attract visitors through its unique product and traditional appeal. Growing 30 apple varietals allows Distillery Lane Ciderworks to yield fruit that is perfect for eating, baking and blending into both sweet and hard cider. Visit the farm to enjoy the tranquility and tradition that encompasses Distillery Lane Ciderworks.