The combination of music, food, seminars and a bit of the grape have kept the Maryland Wine Festival flowing for 18 years, and that same recipe will be on tap when the 2011 edition comes to the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18.
Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m.
The festival is the statewide celebration of wine and wineries, and features tastings, seminars, amateur wine competition and the awarding of the Governor's Cup — awarded to the "best in show" wine at the festival.
The two-day celebration also includes food vendors, craft artisans and a full schedule of entertainment both days on the farm museum stage, as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 17
11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. — Mason Vixon
1-2:45 p.m. — Big Cam & the Lifters
1:45 p.m. — Governor's Cup announced
3-4:45 p.m. — Uncle Jack Band
5-6 p.m. — Bourbon Street Ramblers
Sunday, Sept. 18
Noon-12:45 p.m. — Standard Delivery Combo
1-2:45 p.m. — David Bach
3-4:45 p.m. — Higher Hands
5-6 p.m. — Bourbon Street Ramblers
The American Wine Society will host wine education seminars, amateur winemakers judging and demonstrations of winemaking during the festival.
The seminars, scheduled every hour on the hour, from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, explain the sensory aspects of wine — taste, aroma, color, clarity and finish — by tasting of two different wines. The lectures are given by AWS members, wine educators, critics and wine makers.
The subject of wine and health is also addressed, and the audience is invited to ask questions and give their opinions of the wines during the program.
The seminars are included in the festival entrance fee.
Cranberries, parsnips and violets are all ingredients that have shown up in the past at the festival's amateur wine judgings.
This year's judging will take place on Sunday, at 1 p.m. The rating system assesses appearance, aroma and bouquet, taste balance and aftertaste. Wines can be made from grapes, fruits other than grapes and non-fruits. All entries must be pre-registered.
The winemaking demonstration is a continuous display showing how wine is made, starting with fresh grapes and proceeding through crushing, pressing and fermentation. Samples of fresh-squeezed grape juice are available.
Admission to the festival is $30 adults ($27 in advance) and $65 for "premiere" passes ($62 in advance) that include a private sampling, commemorative glass, food samples and a 2011 festival poster.
The cost for designated drivers and children ages 13 to 20 is $20; and children 12 and younger are free.
The Maryland Wine Festival is held rain or shine; no refunds are given for advance ticket purchases. Go to http://www.marylandwinefestival.org for more details.
Ride for Health Bike Tour
The Ride for Health Bike Tour, held in partnership with the wine festival and benefiting Access Carroll, is set for Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Carroll County Agriculture Center, 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster.
Registration is 7 to 9:30 a.m., with a start at 7:30 a.m. There are three tours — 8-mile, 31-mile, and 62-mile — across Carroll County.
The ride includes a commemorative T-shirt and rest stops so that cyclists stay hydrated and nourished. The cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children younger than 16. Registration is available at http://www.accesscarroll.org, or by calling 410-871-1478.
Access Carroll offers free primary health care and other health services to uninsured, low-income residents.
Jim Joyner