Damascus is getting its first tasting room, as 61 Vineyard prepares to open its doors for a soft opening event (closed to the public).
We spoke with owner Pam Giganti who told us that she and her husband Mark acquired the farm in 2017 and bottled their first vintage on July 1st of this year. They have been MoCo residents for nearly 30 years.
The tasting room will be located in an 80 year old milking barn that was on the property and 61 Vineyard will be MoCo’s fourth vineyard.
You can sign up for future soft opening and grand opening events on the vineyards website here.
More information below, courtesy of 61 Vineyard:
“For the last 20 years, we have lived among the rolling hills and peaceful farmlands of Upper Montgomery County, Maryland. Our appreciation for wine deepened as we toured local and international wineries. We wondered why there were so many wonderful wineries out there, but only a few in Montgomery County. After some thought (and a glass or two), we made the decision to educate ourselves on the art of winemaking. We attended Wine Camp (yes there is such a thing), then joined Maryland Grape Growers and Maryland Wineries Associations. But most importantly, we educated ourselves on Viticulture and Enology. In 2013-2014, we planted a 1-acre, test vineyard with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The project became a family affair, and during our harvest 2 years later, we had 4 generations working the land. Then the most amazing thing happened, we made wine! And the result had transcended our expectations.
The following year we acquired a local farm that would become 61 Vineyard. The name derives from the year we were both born, 1961. In the wine world, a good year is everything. And we agree that this was a phenomenal year!
Now the journey is about to begin as we prepare to open our relaxing winery where friends and family can enjoy spectacular mountain views and sensational wines.
