Black Ankle Vineyards – August 26, 2023

     Sarah O’Herron and Ed Boyce wanted to get away from the rat race and decided to pursue their dream of owning a winery. In May, 2002 they bought a farm consisting of 146 acres on Black Ankle Road in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The following year they planted their first 22 acres of grapes.

     Their first harvest arrived in 2006. The wines rested in barrels until they were ready for bottling in 2008.

      They then opened their business in October of that year.

     Today they have planted on 50 acres of their 146. In addition to building the processing plant for the grapes, they also built tasting rooms that can accommodate up to 150 people. Today I was one of those people.

     All the materials, including wood, stone, straw, and clay, for building these facilities were grown or gathered on the farm.

     Who mows the grass on this roof? In fact, why is there grass on this roof?

     In 2003 they hired Evencio Martinez as their vineyard manager. Evencio came from a long career of farming in California and Oregon. While in California he worked primarily at a private vineyard and ranch in Sonoma. Originally from El Penon Mexico, Evencio migrated to the United States in 1979.  He lives on the farm in their historic farmhouse

     When Sarah and Ed found this promising vineyard site on Black Ankle Road, they were immediately intrigued by the road name. According to local historians the road was a dirt and mud track long after other nearby roads were more meticulously maintained, the name stems from the muddy feet and boots that passersby were left with on rainy days. The winery is named after the road.

     Walking around the farm I saw the vats where the grapes are fermented:

After aging in the barrels

They are bottled and stored:

They make their own labels:

         

     I detected they also snuck in some moonshine:

     

     These are 200 year old french wine that they use to compare to their wine:

   

     There were rows and rows in the vineyard 

   

     There were plenty of grapes you could try:

     Meanwhile, back at the ranch, you could get a flight of wine:

     Bucket of wine:

     Cheese platter:

     Now, after all that, let’s drive home.