If you get the chance to drive through PA versus fly over it, you are missing out if you choose flying over it. The beautiful scenic drive is only explainable if you see it with your own eyes. As you head south on highway 15 and PA flows into MD, about 10 miles south of the PA stateline, you enter the area of Thurmont, MD. After many many drive-bys of a particular winery called Catoctin Breeze, we decided that yesterday was the day to give in to our desires...wine desires.
The vines on the hillside immediately put your mind at ease and put your mindset into a "relaxing day at the winery" mindset. As we circled around the back of the hill and begin to pull up the lane we started to feel a little hesitation. The tasting room was in a little barn with a johnny-on-the-spot for...well, you know, and although there were cars there we were concerned about the quality of the wine. After the discussion in the car (should we get out or should we pretend we are just lost and doing a turnaround), we decided to try it out. End result...we couldn't have been happier with our decision to stay.
Catoctin Breeze's vines are only a few years old and the official tasting room and cellar will not be complete until next year but their wines are beyond ameatur wine makers. I highly suggest trying their Chardonnay. Their reds will be ready (for the first time) in about 2 weeks and best believe that we will be back there as soon as we can to try them!
