Wineries, Breweries & Cideries in Frederick County, MD: A Local Guide

Where should you go for wine, beer, and cider in Frederick County, MD? The county is home to the Frederick Wine Trail plus a growing lineup of farm breweries, cideries, and distilleries — from Linganore Winecellars and Black Ankle Vineyards near Mt. Airy to Springfield Manor in Thurmont and Distillery Lane Ciderworks in Jefferson. Here’s a local’s guide to the best spots and how to build a great tasting day.

The Frederick County wineries cluster along the Catoctin foothills, with farm breweries and cideries filling in the rest of the map.

One of the underrated perks of living here is how easy it is to spend a Saturday tasting your way across rolling farmland with the Catoctin Mountains in the background. Whether you’re a longtime local or scoping out the area before a move, here’s where I send friends and clients.

Wineries on and around the Frederick Wine Trail

Frederick County’s family-owned wineries are the backbone of the local scene, most set on working farms with tasting rooms, events, and views:

• Linganore Winecellars (Mt. Airy) — one of Maryland’s oldest and largest wineries, known for festivals, live music, and a huge range of wines. The on-site Red Shedman Farm Brewery means wine and beer drinkers can share a table.
• Black Ankle Vineyards (Mt. Airy) — a standout for serious, estate-grown wines and a beautiful straw-bale tasting room.
• Elk Run Vineyards and Loew Vineyards (Mt. Airy) — long-established, family-run spots with a loyal following.
• Catoctin Breeze Vineyard and Links Bridge Vineyards (Thurmont) — scenic northern-county tasting rooms with mountain backdrops.
• Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery & Brewery (Thurmont) — a lavender-farm destination that covers wine, spirits, and beer in one gorgeous stop.
• Mazzaroth Vineyards (Middletown) — a smaller, welcoming vineyard in the Middletown Valley.

Breweries: farm to downtown

The beer scene splits nicely between country farm breweries and a walkable downtown cluster:

• Red Shedman Farm Brewery (Mt. Airy) — farm brewery on the Linganore property.
• Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm (Mt. Airy) — one of Maryland’s original farm breweries, pouring beer made with estate-grown ingredients.
• Downtown Frederick — cluster several stops into one walkable outing: Attaboy Beer, Idiom Brewing, Rockwell Brewery, and Olde Mother Brewing are all within reach of Carroll Creek.

Pairing a brewery crawl with a stroll along the Carroll Creek Promenade is one of my favorite easy afternoons — more ideas in my guide to Downtown Frederick and Baker Park.

Cider and spirits

Don’t overlook the cider and distillery side:

• Distillery Lane Ciderworks (Jefferson) — an orchard-based cidery growing dozens of apple varieties, with a tasting room among the trees.
• McClintock Distillery (Downtown Frederick) — organic gin, whiskey, and vodka with tours and cocktails.
• Springfield Manor Distillery (Thurmont) — spirits made on that same lavender-farm property.

How to plan a great tasting day

A few things I’ve learned after plenty of Saturdays out there:

1. Group by geography. Pair Mt. Airy stops together, or make it a northern-county day around Thurmont. Don’t crisscross the whole county.
2. Reserve ahead. Weekend tastings and events often need reservations, and hours shift by season.
3. Line up a driver. Local wine-tour shuttles run regularly — the smart, safe way to enjoy multiple stops.
4. Time it with a festival. Linganore and Springfield Manor host some of the region’s most popular events, from wine festivals to lavender bloom season.

It’s exactly this kind of easy-access, weekends-are-fun lifestyle that makes people fall for the area. For more, see my roundup of the best things to do in Walkersville and northern Frederick County and the local food truck scene.

Frequently asked questions

What wineries are on the Frederick Wine Trail?

The Frederick Wine Trail features family-owned wineries including Linganore Winecellars, Black Ankle Vineyards, Elk Run Vineyards, Loew Vineyards, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, Links Bridge Vineyards, and Springfield Manor. Most sit on working farms with tasting rooms and seasonal events.

Are there breweries in Frederick County, MD?

Yes. Farm breweries include Red Shedman near Mt. Airy and Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, while Downtown Frederick offers a walkable cluster with Attaboy Beer, Idiom Brewing, Rockwell Brewery, and Olde Mother Brewing.

Where can I get hard cider near Frederick, MD?

Distillery Lane Ciderworks in Jefferson is the county’s best-known cidery, growing dozens of apple varieties with a tasting room set among the orchard. Springfield Manor in Thurmont also produces spirits alongside its wine and beer.

Do Frederick County wineries require reservations?

Many do for weekend tastings and events, and seasonal hours vary, so it’s best to check each winery’s site and book ahead. Weekdays are usually more relaxed and walk-in friendly.

Is there a wine tour shuttle in Frederick County?

Yes, local wine-tour and limousine services run regular trips along the Frederick Wine Trail, which is the safest way to visit several tasting rooms in one day.

Thinking about calling Frederick County home?

Wineries, breweries, cideries, mountains, and a walkable downtown — this is the lifestyle that draws people to Frederick County. If you’re exploring a move and want a local’s honest read on the area, contact Allie Vasquez and let’s talk about where you’d fit best.

Frederick County wineries, breweries, and cideries at a glance

Frederick County wineries anchor a tasting scene that also includes farm breweries, downtown taprooms, and a fast-growing cider list.

Most Frederick County wineries sit within 30 minutes of Frederick City, which makes a two-stop afternoon easy even on a weekday.

Quick picks for your first tasting day

• Frederick County wineries with the best views: the vineyards along the Catoctin foothills.
• Frederick County wineries for a short trip: the stops on the Frederick Wine Trail just north of the city.
• Best winery-plus-brewery day: open at one of the Frederick County wineries, finish at a downtown taproom.
• Best for families: farm breweries with open lawns, food trucks, and room to roam.

Check hours before you drive out. The Visit Frederick tourism office keeps current listings and event calendars for Frederick County wineries, breweries, and cideries.

Why the tasting scene matters when you are house hunting

Buyers who tour with me almost always ask what there is to do on a Saturday. The Frederick County wineries, the farm breweries, and the cideries are a big part of the answer.

Lifestyle and neighborhood amenities rank near the top of buyer priorities nationwide, a pattern documented in the National Association of REALTORS® research and statistics.

Living near the Frederick County wineries also means living near the trail systems, the farmers markets, and the small downtowns that come with them.

If that sounds like your kind of weekend, start with the Frederick County relocation guide, compare the local cost of living, or read the pros and cons of living in Frederick County.

Then send me a message. I will show you the neighborhoods that keep the Frederick County wineries, the trails, and your commute all within easy reach.

Frequently asked: planning around Frederick County wineries

Do Frederick County wineries take walk-ins? Most do, but weekend tastings fill fast in the fall, so call ahead.

Are Frederick County wineries dog friendly? Many keep outdoor patios open to leashed dogs.

Can you see several Frederick County wineries in one day? Two or three stops is a comfortable pace with a designated driver.

New to the area? Start with the Frederick County wineries closest to your side of the county, then work outward on your next trip.