Summer time in Baltimore City can’t be beat. But every once in a while, its nice to get out of the city and into Maryland’s country side.  What better reason to get out of town than for a local wine festival?  Lucky for us Marylanders, the spring and late summer into fall are the perfect time for local festivals, and there are many to choose from.  The festival season opener is Wine in the Woods in Columbia. This festival is in its 18th year, and is always a hit.  You can enjoy the local wine, great food vendors, live music, wine seminars and tons of craft vendors.  The festival is at Symphony Woods, on May 15-16 from noon until 6 p.m.  If you can’t make it to Wine in the Woods, check out the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival on your way to the beach! This festival happens right over the Bay Bridge, in Stevensville, Maryland, and this year is on June 5-6, from noon until 6 p.m.  The beautiful Terrapin Nature park sits along the Chesapeake Bay and is right on your way down the ocean, hon!
 
A festival located a bit closer to Charm City is Great Grapes! in Cockeysville, at the beautiful Oregon Ridge Park.  This fun festival features live jazz, blues and oldies music on two stages, and is sure to get you up and dancing! This festival is on June 12-13, from noon until 6 p.m.  For the boaters out there- you may want to check out the Eastern’s Bayside Blues & Wine Festival. Come to this festival located at the Eastern Yacht Club in Essex for some awesome tunes, and some great conversation with the wineries on August 14 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 
The fall festival season rounds out with the 27th annual Maryland Wine Festival, on September 18-19.  Saturday’s festivities last from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m, and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. This festival always draws a big crowd, so be sure to pre order your ticket! For you southern Maryland lovers, be sure to visit the Riverside WineFest at Sotterley.  This festival is set on the scenic grounds of the historic Sotterley Mansion on October 2-3, from noon until 6 p.m.  The last, but certainly not least, festival is the Autumn Wine Festival at Pemberton Historical Park, in Salisbury. This festival season closer is on October 16-17. 
 
If you can’t make the festivals, go straight to the source! Visit the local wineries in your area and get a real taste for the quality wine coming out of our great state. For more details and how to buy festival tickets, and for a listing of other winery events, visit www.marylandwine.com.  Drink Local!