Berlin winery creates new tradition for farming family

Feeling at home relaxing in a lawn chair with a glass of wine in hand is what the Mariner family wants for all of their visitors. 

Sitting among the grape vines used in the wine-making process is just an added touch. 

Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery was welcomed by the Berlin, Ocean City and Ocean Pines chamber of commerce officials with an official grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 28. The vineyard is the vision of Brittany Mariner, CEO and president, with her parents, Barry and Jeannie Mariner, to continue the family's farming legacy, but in a new way.

“It’s great to finally say we’re open," said Jeannie Mariner, co-owner. 

Background:18th century farm turning into Worcester winery

Jeannie Mariner said opening the vineyard has been a long time coming, with years of growing grapes, renovations of the Mariner House on-site and meeting county or state regulations. 

Brittany Mariner started the vineyard on the farm several years ago, continuing a family farming tradition that began in 1924, according to a news release.

“My grandparents made wine from grapes, dandelions and other fruits and herbs that grew on the property as a hobby, passing down recipes through the generations, which sparked this vision," Brittany Mariner said in a news release. 

Guests at the ribbon cutting event had the opportunity to taste the five different wine varieties Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery has bottled: Gruner Vetliner, Riesling, Chambourcin, Summer Red and Sparkling Rosé. 

Jeannie Mariner said the Gruner Vetliner is made from Austrian grapes which the vineyard is growing on site. Those grapes will be used in the next batch of bottles. 

This wine is a dry white, similar to a Sauvignon blanc. 

Jeannie Mariner said the Eastern Shore's climate is not always ideal for wine-making, but it's positive to see the grapes growing and they're hoping to find other varieties that will do the same. 

Wine-making created unexpected challenges for the family, who come from a more traditional farming background. 

“It’s completely a different animal from corn and soybean farming," she said. 

The other four wine varieties are made from grapes grown in other places. 

For the Riesling, the grapes come from upstate New York and create a nice, dry white taste, Jeannie Mariner said. She said the family is going to try to grow the grapes here, but is unsure if it will work in this climate.

For the Chambourcin and Summer Red, the grapes are coming from from western Maryland. The Chambourcin is similar to a Pinot Noir, creating a nice, dry red, Jeannie Mariner said.

The Summer Red wine uses the same grape as the Chambourcin, but with more sugar to make it a little sweeter.

“We’re trying to hit everybody’s palette," Jeannie Mariner said.

During the ribbon cutting event, Jeannie Mariner said the vineyard used its Summer Red to make a great sangria. The vineyard's sparkling rosé is only being made in small quantites currently, and she said the family will likely save it for weddings.

These five wines are only the start for the vineyard, as the family wants it to continue to grow. 

“We are experimenting with grape varieties, cultivating those that will grow well in the unique Eastern Shore climate, producing unique wines that capture the essence of great taste while focusing on quality over quantity," Brittany Mariner said in a news release. 

Barry and Jeannie Mariner originally inherited the family farm in 2014. Through family history and research, the Mariners found that the farmhouse was originally built by Lemuel Showell III, founder of the town of Showell and president of the Pocomoke and Wicomico Railroad, one of the original founders of Ocean City, according to a news release.

The family spent the past three years renovating the historic farmhouse. Jeannie Mariner said in the future after the county approves it, the home will be billed as a museum and offer tours. Right now, however, it can only be used for short-term rentals. 

The historic house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release. 

“We’ve designed the property to bring visitors back in time, relaxing on the front porch or on a swing under the shade trees overlooking wildflowers and vines enjoying a glass of wine, the fruits of our labor.  It’s an escape from the norm located right in the Delmarva Peninsula backyard,” Brittany Mariner said in a news release. 

With the vineyard's view of its growing vines and the historic home, the family hopes to see visitors come to spend a few hours enjoying drinks on the property. 

“We want people to come everyday, any day and come and drink wine," Jeannie Mariner said.

The vineyard can also be reserved for private group tastings, wedding receptions, family reunions, corporate events and other special occasions.

When wine drinkers can't make it to the vineyard, Windmill Creek Vineyard wines can be found at the Ocean Pines farmer's market on Saturdays and the Berlin farmer's market on Sundays. 

Bottles can also be purchased at Sister's and Cheers in Berlin, the Wine Rack in West Ocean City and Johnny’s Pizza & Pub in Ocean City.  

“We’re going to continue to expand that as fast as we can," Jeannie Mariner said.

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If you go:

What: Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery

Where: 11206 Worcester Hwy in Berlin

When: Tastings on most Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Contact: (410) 251-6122, Windmillcreekvineyard.com