Hollywood, MD — For a dozen years the grounds of historic Sotterley Plantation have hosted the Riverside WineFest, an opportunity for guest to sample nth wares of Maryland’s wineries with an historic backdrop.

This year the weather cooperated for blue skies and just a hint of the approaching cold weather in the air. The crowds followed to pack the crowds both Saturday and Sunday.

This year the wineries participating were:
• Basignani Winery of Sparks, MD
• Bordeleau Vineyards and Winery of Eden, M
• Cove Point Winery of Lusby
• Cygnus Wine Cellars of Manchester, MD
• Dragonfly Vineyard and Winery  of Mt. Airy, MD
• Elk Run Vineyards of Mt. Airy, MD
• Far Eastern Shore Winery of Easton, MD
• Fridays Creek Winery and Art Gallery of Owings
• Great Shoals Winery of Silver Spring, MD
• Knob Hall Winery of Clear Spring, MD
• Liganore Wine Cellars of Mt. Airy, MD
• Old Westminster Winery of Westminster, MD
• Orchid Cellar Meadery and Winery of Middletown, MD
• Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery of St. Leonard
• Port of Leonardtown Winery
• Romano Vineyard and Winery of Brandywine
• Running Hare Vineyard of Prince Frederick
• Slack Winery of Ridge
• Solomons Island Winery of Lusby
• St. Michaels Winery of St. Michaels, MD
• The Winey of Olney, Olney, MD

Virginia may have been doing it longer, but Maryland appears to be catching up, and the Riverside WineFest is a chance to show off the recent Maryland successes.

The crowds were entertained by the music of the Justin Myles Experience and Jennifer Cooper and Groovespan on Saturday and Hydra FX and John Luskey Band on Sunday.

The Kids’ Stomping Grounds with activities for children was open both days as were free 1703 Plantation House Mini-Tours and the Colonial Revival Garden Tour.
A number of food and beer vendors and artisans were on hand as well.

The event is made posible by a number of sponsors and dedicated volunteers. This year’s Riverside WineFest Committee was chaired by Ellen Zahniser. The chair of Historic Sotterley Board of Trustees is Janice Briscoe, Esq.

Sotterley is one of the oldest museums of its kind in the United States, with history dating back to the turn of the 18th century. The Plantation House had its beginnings in 1703.

For more information about Sotterley go to their website www.sotterley.org

To see photos taken at this event CLICK HERE!