Thanksgiving
Farm, located approximately 12 miles SW of Annapolis, MD is everything Running
Hare is not: Small, quiet, unobtrusive,
very easy to miss.
Do I say
these things in a derogatory voice?
NOT ON YOUR
LIFE.
This is what
Amy and I call an honest to God hidden gem.
Something that you would not necessarily look for but WELL worth your
effort to experience. The tiny vineyard
is the product of the love and effort of Doug and Maureen Heimbuch. Two of the absolute nicest people we’ve had
the pleasure to meet in our little viticultural voyage. We stumbled across Thanksgiving Farm the week
after the derecho storm laid waste to the DC area. Set on a beautiful little farm in the town of
Harwood, the subtle appearance of Thanksgiving Farm with its comparatively
small field of grape vines might lead you to think that you might have taken a
wrong turn. DO NOT BE FOOLED.
Doug and
Maureen have set up a wonderful little tasting room: Classy, comfortable,
welcoming, uncomplicated by clutter, everything a tasting room should be. There is also a nice outdoor seating area for
the warmer months. You take a seat at
the bar area and see a few obligatory wine bottles with award medals draped
over them. “Ah!” You think. “These are their stand-outs.”
Not so.
Thanksgiving
Farm only produces three wines: A red, a
rose and a white.
“THREE?!?”
You ask incredulously. “Why am I
bothering with a three-wine tasting when
I can go down the road for an hour and have eight or more at just about any
other vineyard in Maryland for the same price?”
Because
these are some of the best wines that either Amy or myself have ever tasted.
The very
embodiment of clean, pure wine flavor without pretention, but surprisingly
sophisticated in their simplicity.
Try saying
THAT five times fast.
Amy: Doug and Maureen also add to the aesthetics of the experience. Doug
is meticulous in his alchemy, creating a combination that is obviously a labor
of love for many years. His knowledge about wine and his desire to make a
vintage that reflects Maryland’s landscape and capacity for growing grapes is
what truly makes this an elegant encounter. It’s not the fantasy of imported
grapes, tempting you with the desires and hopes of elsewhere; rather it is the
understanding of place right in our own backyard and what can make our own
familiar vistas appear to us for the very first time. Maureen too is lovely.
She too possesses an artistic eye and a joy for their vineyard that makes the
visitor want to stay and share a glass, the idea that wine is a gateway for
conversation. The tasting goes far beyond what the palate can experience. These
two create a holistic wine-tasting event that is subtle and easy.
This is one
of the rare instances where Amy and I are in complete agreement. For us, their stand-out is their Franc Blanc.
A light
semi-dry white made from Cabernet Franc grapes, for me, this is the very
essence of a pure, unfettered wine.
Virtually no sulfide taste that I could detect, this wine would go well
with cheese, fruit, seafood or poultry in almost any variation or combination.
Amy also
came close to breaking my pinkie when I tried to take a sip from her glass.
However,
don’t let this ringing endorsement make you skip over their red or rose. Both of them are absolutely excellent and
share the same essence of purity.
Amy: Their Meritage is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Like a good roast
or simple Italian sauce, it’s strength lies in its minimalism. Unlike the sweet
vintages that seem to dominate the Maryland wine culture, tasting like berries
and spice and caramel or chocolate, this red is a classic and could, like any
good black dress in a woman’s closet, sit at a 5 course dinner in Manhattan or
cozy up on a snowy evening to complement a romantic dinner for two in front of
a New England fire.
As if all
this wasn’t enough, there’s also the aforementioned Doug and Maureen. As I mentioned previously, these are two
absolutely charming people. They are
gracious and friendly and remember repeat customers. Take the time to chat with them
about…well…anything really. You’ll be
very glad you did.
Wine: 10 out
of 10: I’m probably sounding a little
gushy, but this really is some of the best wine I’ve ever had. And despite the small selection, Thanksgiving
Farm doesn’t do sweet wines, if you love dry wine then this IS the place for
you.
Amy: This would be a good place to learn about the classics and then
branch out from here to all the variations that wine has become.
Tasting
Room: 10 out of 10: While it may not
have the flash or glitz of a Running Hare, Doug and Maureen make their guests
feel absolutely welcome and at home.
Amy: This room has all kinds of details that perhaps are a metaphor for
the wine maker himself and his attention to detail: the crown molding, the wood
rail, the deep mahogany tones, etc.
Location: 10 out of 10:
While there may not be much to do in Harwood itself, Annapolis is
just up the road a ways. And if you need ME to tell you what there is
to do there then you need a faster internet connection.
Amy: If you are a
foodie, I recommend pairing this vineyard with a trip to Fresh Market where you
can get gourmet sandwiches and salads, or my favorite café
49 West Street where you can get the best hummus or spicy feta cheese. Or my favorite place
for sausage pizza Vin 909.
After all that food,
you will need to walk around the water, the Naval Academy and then end up at my
favorite place for used books, The Annapolis Bookstore.
Experience:
10 out of 10: Amazing wines, charming tasting room, great people. This is one of those instances in life where
less = so much more.
Why
go?: Because you get the whole package
here in a tiny little bundle.
Do they let
you keep the glass? Unfortunately, due
to some archaic and UTTERLY ABSURD Maryland law regarding the number and type
of sinks you are required to have in a vineyard to give away glasses,
Thanksgiving Farm is unable to do so at tastings. They do HAVE monogrammed glasses however
which they provide to guests at catered events.
ADDENDUM:
Since I first wrote (and promptly forgot) this post, Doug and Maureen told us that they would soon be releasing their first dessert wine. I await it with baited breath! :)
