On Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5, Sotterley Plantation did its share of promoting Southern Maryland as a tourist destination this weekend. Under blue skies and mild temperatures, 16 Maryland vineyards from around the state set up under peaked white tents to offer free samples, sell wine and talk about wine growing. All agreed the weather was fine, the crowds large and the event a success.
As the river sparkled in the distance, live jazz music played, local artists showcased their work and restaurants shared their cuisine. Susan Pagliao, sales mananger at Boordy Vineyards, said, “It’s one of our favorite festivals to do. We don’t get down here very often and we have a lot of fans here”. Boordy is Maryland’s oldest vineyard and sells only in Maryland.
Various musicians performed live, including jazz singer, Diane Daly, with her backup, Kash Wright, on piano and Wes Bieles on bass. Crowds wound their way among food booths offering everything from oysters and stuffed ham from Lenny’s to Caribbean food and barbeque.
Joan Kocen, with the Color and Light Society, happily discussed her painting of the last oyster shed on Solomons Island. Built in 1958 by Ollie and his ten-year-old son, Robbie, in 1958, it was torn down in 2005. The farm shed proved a perfect space for the display of other artworks inside.
Dean Fogel of the Wine Growers Association was pleased with the big turnout. “The festival is a good way to compare wines and find out what Maryland wine is all about.”
Bushwood grape grower Steve Purvins, Mechanicsville grower Patrick Isles, Gerald Byrne and the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative demonstrated their hand-cranked wooden press and explained the wine making process.
In the So. Maryland, So Good tent, Katherine Stormont and Susan McQuilken of So. Maryland, So Good, were enthused about the new profile of local farming. Around them were locally grown and produced items, demonstrations and guidebooks.
Chef and Café Des Artistes owner Loic Jaffres ladled out his crab soup and grilled corn to people lined up three deep. Jaffres noted that he buys local as much as he can for his restaurant.
“This is an incredible event with tremendous turnout,” said Bob Schaller, St. Mary’s economic and community development director. “What a great job promoting this by the Sotterley organization. There are lots of local folks but the fact that there are many others tells us the reach has gone far beyond local.”
Wendy Schaller agreed, “There’s a wide range of countians here, too.”
Leonardtown resident Keith Birkholz was celebrating his 50th birthday with his wife Kathy. “I’ve been to all the festivals and this has the most wineries and is the biggest yet. It has probably doubled in size.”