BRANDYWINE, Md. — Janemark Winery is inviting the community to participate in a traditional Blessing of the Vines, a ceremony rooted in the French winemaking tradition that honors Saint Vincent, the patron saint of winemakers and grape growers.
The blessing will take place on May 23 at 1 p.m. at 15200 Baden Naylor Road in Brandywine, and organizers recommend guests arrive at 12:30 p.m. to check in. The event will also feature music and a food truck. The ceremony will take place directly on the vineyard.
This traditional event will not only bring members of the community closer to the behind-the-scenes world of winemaking and its traditions, but also hits an emotional note for farmers, growers and harvesters following the April 21 freeze that devastated crops around the region.
The freeze was caused by a late spring frost that hit Maryland farms in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 21. The freeze may have cost some specialty crop growers nearly an entire season.
The Maryland Farm Bureau surveyed nearly 90 impacted producers and found an average estimated production loss of 67.5% across specialty crops covering more than 320 acres of production land. Many farms in heavily affected areas reported near-total losses of 90% or higher on their 2026 harvests. Preliminary reports from growers show crop losses well above the 30% threshold required for a federal disaster designation.
Wine grapes were one of the hardest-hit specialty crops.
“The blessing will recognize the challenges facing local growers while celebrating the perseverance of Maryland’s wine and farming communities,” a representative from Janemark Winery wrote in an email to The BayNet.
For more information, visit the winery online or on Facebook.
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