Photo provided by Port of Leonardtown / Taken by Photo by Gari-Ann Kia Photography Kia & Co
05/05/2022 Written/published by MarylandWine Jim Bauckman (ANNAPOLIS, MD) – The Port of Leonardtown Winery (POL Winery) claimed the Maryland Comptroller’s Cup for their 2021 Vintner’s Select White at the 2022 Winemasters Choice Competition held in late April at Linganore Winecellars in Mt. Airy.
The Vintner’s Select White earned double gold by unanimous decision from judges before being crowned “Best in Show.” This recognition comes on the heels of the winery’s recent 2021 Maryland Governor’s Cup win.
“The day we blended the limited edition Vintner’s Select White, we knew we had something very special,” shared Lauren Zimmerman, the winemaker at POL Winery. Bottles of the Vintner’s Select White will be available for purchase from the winery tasting room and website in mid-May.
This year’s competition featured more than 150 Maryland-made wines from dozens of local wineries. 11 wines earned recognition as “Best in Class” and three wines were awarded double gold medals. Judges for this event included local sommeliers and members of the winemaking, wholesale, and retail industries.
“We’re thrilled to have such a great collection of winemakers and judges evaluate this year’s pool of Winemasters Choice entries. Growing participation in our competitions results in advances in quality following feedback from judges,” said Janna Howley, Winemasters Choice competition coordinator and Chief Operating Officer of the Maryland Wineries Association.
POL Winery is affiliated with a local agricultural cooperative, the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative (SMWGC), and is a vital value-added agriculture business in the region. Cooperatives like the SMWGC streamline the supply chain and include producers like POL Winery in the quality control process.
“The grapes that went into this special wine were grown in local vineyards that we are able to walk and monitor closely,” said Zimmerman.
Patrick Isles, the production manager at POL Winery stated, “the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative has proven we can make great wines from Southern Maryland grapes, which keeps us focused on producing quality wines while preserving Maryland agriculture. Our continued success in the regional wine competitions further establishes our commitment to being a premium wine producer.”
2022 Maryland Winemasters Choice Results
BEST IN SHOW
- 2022 Comptroller’s Cup Winner: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select White 2021
Best in Class
- Sparkling: Linganore Winecellars • Bella Luce 2021
- White: Mazzaroth Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2021
- White Blend: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select White 2021
- Rosé: Crow Vineyard & Winery • Barbera Rosé 2021
- Red: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2019
- Red Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • Meritage Black Label 2019
- Off-Dry: Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery • Riesling
- Fruit: Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run
- Mead: Clear Skies Meadery • Blossom
- Dessert: Big Cork Vineyards • Siberian Ice 2021
- Fortified: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Port 2019
Double Gold
- Mazzaroth Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2021
- Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery • Riesling
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select White 2021
Gold
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc Black Label 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Malbec 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Meritage Black Label 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Merlot 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot Black Label 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Siberian Ice 2021
- Charis Winery • & Distillery 13-09 2020
- Clear Skies Meadery • Blossom
- Crow Vineyard & Winery • Barbera Rosé 2021
- Linganore Winecellars • Bella Luce 2021
- Links Bridge Vineyard • Merlot 2020 2020
- Links Bridge Vineyard • Petit Verdot 2020
- Mazzaroth Vineyard • Estate Tannat 2020
- Olney Winery • Raccoon Red 2020
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Blanco Loco 2021
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Cabernet Franc 2020
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Port 2019
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select Red 2020
- Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards • Vintage Blend 2020
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2019
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chimera 3rd Edition
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Evoe 2019
See the entire list of medalists on MarylandWine.com.
Explore Maryland’s growing wine industry by visiting a local vineyard or attending a local wine event. Plan your next winery visit using the Maryland Craft Beverages App, available for free on Android and iOS. Visit the Maryland Wineries Association website at marylandwine.com for industry details and information.
About the Competition. The Winemasters Choice was founded as a peer-review wine competition, with Maryland’s winemakers joining industry partners in blind-tasting through entries to select the winner. The winner earns the Best in Show trophy, named the “Comptroller’s Cup,” as a nod to the long-time chief regulator of the industry.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association that represents more than 85 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland – through education and promotion.
Photo provided by Port of Leonardtown / Taken by Photo by Gari-Ann Kia Photography Kia & Co
