Jay & Virginia Baker established Old Westminster Farm in 1985. Recognizing the ideal growing conditions - sunshine, rocky soils, and a mild climate - they explored the potential for winemaking in 2008. Today, their entire family contributes: Drew, the vigneron, planted the first vines at 22 and dedicates himself to continuous learning. Lisa, a chemist with a passion for winemaking, crafts their offerings. Ashli, the "people person," ensures a welcoming experience at the Tasting Room. Together, they strive to put Maryland wines on the map.

Diverse Terroir, Distinct Wines:

Old Westminster leverages a multi-vineyard approach to capture the essence of Maryland's unique viticultural tapestry. Their estate vineyard sits at 800 feet above sea level on channery loam soil with greenstone schist bedrock, a favorite among local grapevines, known for imparting intense aromatics and minerality to the wines.

Beyond their estate, Old Westminster cultivates strong relationships with neighboring vineyards to source additional grapes:

Cool Ridge Vineyard: Nestled atop a South Mountain limestone hillside, this vineyard provides Grüner Veltliner, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grapes.

Links Bridge Vineyard: Situated on the secluded banks of the Monocacy River, this vineyard contributes Cabernet Franc.

Birchview Vineyard: Perched on a rocky hill just north of the winery, Birchview Vineyard offers Barbera and Pinot Grigio grapes.

Old Westminster prioritizes creating balanced, authentic wines that capture the essence of both the vineyard and the vintage. Winemaker Lisa Hinton achieves this through meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to minimal intervention.

Hand-sorting fruit ensures only the best quality grapes reach fermentation.

Utilizing indigenous yeasts allows the grapes' natural character to shine through.

Avoiding extraneous additives like enzymes, yeast nutrients, oak chips, and fining agents reinforces their dedication to a pure expression of the terroir.