Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard was the first step on our wine educational journey.  It’s a mid-sized winery just off I-270 in Central Maryland on the Southernmost tip of the Frederick Wine Trail.   

Set amidst some truly beautiful farmland.  The most noteworthy local landmark is the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain.  I STRONGLY recommend you take advantage of the view at the top.  There’s foot trails for the more-hardy visitor and roads for the rest of us to take a leisurely drive to the top. 

There are also several local artisans nearby with whom you can make the trip an experience that goes beyond simply wine.

The vineyard and tasting room are certainly nice enough.  It’s a great place to break up a trip and enjoy a nice glass of wine and perhaps a picnic lunch.  The vineyard sells a decent cheese and sausage platter if you didn’t bring your own food.   There’s a fair amount of tourist traffic during the warmer months.   Sugarloaf Mountain also hosts several events throughout the year, such as grape stomping parties and artisan tours, which can make for a fun day trip.

I found their wine to be decent, although there was little especially noteworthy.  Keep in mind that at this point, my palate was about as unschooled as that “Marley and Me” dog, and hopefully less likely to make you cry.  All their wines are made from grapes they grow themselves.  No imported grapes or juices as far as we could tell.  I found their Stomp to be a nice, light red wine.  Not too heavy or dry.  For those who prefer something a little bolder, their Comus wine is right up your alley.  Very strong, peppery flavor.  This wine would go well with a nice steak.

Amy: My favorite wine at this vineyard was the Viognier, a dry, crisp white wine with a hint of pear. It’s both soothing and refreshing on a breezy, summer day and pairs nicely with cheese, fruits, and spicy dishes. I thought, however, it was a little pricey. A bottle runs you about 24 dollars.

Other than that though, there wasn’t much about their wines that made me jump up and dance (and no, I don’t dance no matter WHAT Amy has told you about me).  This winery is more of a point on your journey rather than the final destination.  They have a nice atmosphere, decent product and friendly people.  They make a very nice sangria and sell light food, which can be rare in the wineries we’ve visited.  Go ahead and stop if they’re on your way, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them just on their own merits unless you’re going to one of their events.

Amy: What made sugarloaf a unique experience for me was definitely the mountain surroundings. I felt transported away from city life and like I had entered some bucolic domain, akin to that of Beatrice Potter. It truly is an escape worth having.  John and I toured the top of nearby Sugarloaf Mountain that has incredible vistas and then wandered through surrounding towns of vintage and home good stores. I would recommend a hike and then a picnic at the winery.

I suppose if I were to compare wineries to cars, which I don’t normally do since I drive a Honda but bear with me, I’d consider Sugarloaf to be a mid-sized Chevy.  Nice enough to get you from point A to point B but there really are more interesting means of conveyance.

I really should avoid car analogies.  I’m just not that good at them.

Wine: 5 out of 10.  Nice table wines, not TOO overpriced.  Great sangria.  But not much that stands out among the crowd.

Tasting Room: 6 out of 10. The tasting room is nice.  But the better deal is the outdoor seating.  It’s a great place for a picnic and a glass of wine, especially when the weather is nice.

Location: 8 out of 10.  Just the mountain alone makes Sugarloaf a great location.  Seriously, the road to the top means ZERO excuses, folks.  There are also lots of nearby towns to visit with art studios and local restaurants.

Experience: 6 out of 10.  Sugarloaf’s friendly staff and pleasant outdoor area make it a very nice place to visit and, unlike some wineries, stay for a while.  You actually feel like not just fingering your car keys or checking your watch while you’re there.

Why go?:  Because Sugarloaf’s proximity to the highway and bucolic setting makes it a great place to stop and enjoy life for a moment.  It’s an especially great place for the DC crowd to get away from the urban insanity and take a breath of non-polluted air.

Let you keep the glass?  No, not as part of the tasting fee.  You have to buy it separately.