In the movie Lost Horizon (Frank Capra, 1937) the character Robert Conway (played by Ronald Colman) is traveling back to the United Kingdom from his trip to the Himilayas, where left behind a magical place called Shangri-La, a warm, idyllic valley hidden deep with within those mountains, whose hynotic grip soothes the soul and restores one. It is hidden from the modern world.
During the voyage Conway's memory is revived, and his spirits soar, and he jumps ship in Singapore. Searchers pursue him back to the Himalayas, but are unable to follow him any further. In the final scene, he reaches the pass leading back to Shangri-La. That's how one feels when they visit Old West Minster. Luckily, you don't need to look like a Hollywood movie star or go to the Himilayas to get the same feeling. You just need to drive to Westminster, Maryland.
Last fall I had the extreme luck of visiting Old Westminster Winery in Westminster, Maryland. But while I was there, I felt like I was a million miles away. Old Westminster is one of the most gracious winery visits you will ever experience. It's like a spa, beautifully appointed with tents and greenhouses, where one can taste on the patio in the fresh air, or have the option of private tasting set off from the madding crowd. But the thing is.....it's so damned beautful. It's like something out of Town & Country or House Beautiful.
Lisa Hinton, owner/winemaker
For those who don;t know, Old Westminster is run by a trio of siblings. Virginia and Jay Baker invested in the property and the business. but in the main, it is run by three siblings - Lisa Hinton is the winemaker, Drew Baker is the vineyard manager, and Ashli Johnson, Marketing Director. I did not tell anyone I was coming, but instead drove up and ordered a flight of wine just like anyone else. I took a few photos and posted on social media, and within minutes was joined by the uber talented Lisa Hinton. One of the secrets of visiting Old Westminster is that they are always on the cutting edge of what's going on, and that the wines are in fact world class - these wines would be a stand out in California, New York, France, Italy, Spain.....anywhere. Which goes to say - anytime you visit Old Westminster, it is indeed magical.
I started off with the Old Westminster Albarino Home Vineyard 2023. The winemaker's notes read: "100% Home Vineyard Albariño hand harvested and chilled at 35 degrees overnight, destemmed and cold pressed. It settled in tank for 2 days then was racked cleanly to another stainless steel tank. This vintage of Albariño stayed on the lees post-fermentation with stirring..." This wine has a nose filled with honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple and lemon. The palate is all lemon curd and cream. With a zippy finish, this is one of the best Albarino's in the country. Put it up against anything. Incredible.
Next up was Old Westminster Pepper 2022, wherein the winemaking notes stated, "2022 Pepper is a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc, 15% Blaufränkisch, 10% Chambourcin, aged in neutral oak barrels for 18 months." The wine is named "Pepper" for it's spicy notes! They serve the Pepper chilled, as you my experience with a Cru Beaujolais. A lovely garnet color, this wine is spicy right off the bat, with notes of plumb, raspberry, and bramble. And they come across on the palate as well as a healthy doe of herbs and spice, especially black pepper. A wonderful wine, with great texture and mouthfeel. Lovely fruit. Lovely finish. A terrific foood wine.
My favorite red from this vineyard, as always, is Rev. Old Westminster Rev 9th Edition is a new world twist on old world winemaking. It's a multi-vintage and multi-vineyard blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Chambourcin and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged in neutral french oak barrels for up to 30 months. This wine leads off with dark stewed fruit, and offers immense flavor, with layers and layers to be explored. This wine is one of my favorite reds on the east coast. Complex, balanced, sophisticated - Rev 9th Edition is an exceptional wine of exceptional quality. Talk about Shangri-La!
Old Westminster Cabernet Sauvignon Cool Ridge Vineyard 2020 is grown in Western Maryland. The wine is made from grapes from 12 year old vines. The berries were hand-harvested in October, carefully sorted, and fermented with spontaneous yeast in stainless steel. Following two weeks of skin contact, the wine was transferred into neutral oak barrels where it began an 18 month aging evolution. This wine was excellent with big, juicy fruit, and big, grippy tannins. Just waiting for a steak. Not one much for east coast Cab Sav, but this was very, very impressive, and one of my favorites of the tasting. Really, really memorable.
So get away where the getting away is good - no - great! Get yourself to Old Westminster and discover what great wine and great surroundings can make you forget your troubles - at least for a little while - and feel a world away!