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Nestled nearby Fredrick, Maryland, Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery sits alone among a gorgeous field of flowers.
They are an incredible local producer of meads and wine, and its tasting room is a local favorite for wine and mead tastings, family outings, and date nights.
While visiting Maryland, I had the opportunity to head to this picturesque spot and taste-test a variety of the drinks available.
When I first arrived, I had never tasted it–thankfully, that’s all now changed.
What is mead?
Mead is a type of alcohol made from honey.
Just like wine is an alcohol made from grapes, or whiskey is an alcohol made from grains, mead comes from fermented honey. Yes, honey. It’s as smooth and sweet as you can imagine.
Nicknamed “nectar of the gods,” its origins date back thousands of years. Now, it’s coming back into prominence in the United States.
We also got a sneak peek into where the fermentation process happens.
About Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery
Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery has its own beehives on the property. They sell small batches of their honey and use it to develop their mead.
If you’re allergic to bee stings, don’t worry—for the more than four hours I had the privilege to explore the site, no one had a negative interaction with a bee.
The site has both an outdoor patio area with a fire pit and an indoor tasting room, where they serve small bites, and you can purchase bottles of their meads and wines.
If you need to become more familiar with Orchid Cellar’s mead flavors, or especially if you’ve never tried mead before, I recommend you do a tasting.
You can try six different flavors at the bar, where the servers are all passionate and knowledgeable about the beverage.
With options like Sparkling Meads, Classic Meads, or Spicy Meads, each flight introduces you to a quartet of distinct creations.
Then, pick whichever flavors you like best and purchase a whole bottle!
Each mead flavor is named after professions from the Middle Ages, and the bottle artwork is made by local Frederick artist Goodloe Byron.
Elemental sparkling meads are also available in single or 4-pack bottles, with a rotating selection of flavors on tap for glass purchases.
And if you prefer the classic grape, artisanal wines are offered by the bottle.
The Founders of Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery
Marzanna and Andrzej, the owners of Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery, started the project back in 2006 and moved to their current land in 2010.
What began as a passion project has now become a thriving community staple.
Originally hailing from Poland, the couple embarked on a journey over 30 years ago, bringing with them a dream of introducing Maryland to the unique flavors of their Polish heritage.
The husband-and-wife dup lives next door to their tasting room and has a beautiful black lab and chickens on-site.
The incredible tasting room and indoor space were constructed in 2015.
The honey from their beehives forms the backbone of Orchid Cellar’s award-winning meads.
At the same time, grapes cultivated in their vineyard find their way into the winemaking process.
Collaborations with local farms enrich the flavor palette, showcasing the commitment to sourcing fruits and spices locally.
Visiting Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery
Their hand-built log cabin tasting room, surrounded by 15 acres of pristine landscape, invites you to unwind and savor the moment.
The wrap-around deck, adorned with breathtaking views, is the perfect spot to sit and sip on your favorite mead.
Just off the outdoor wrap-around deck is a meadow of wildflowers. Of course, the flowers are for the bees, but we also enjoyed taking pictures among the blooms.
Seating operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and while the tasting room can accommodate groups of up to 6 people, larger parties of 8 or more can enjoy a Private Event Rental.
Bring your appetite, as cheese platters and snacks are available for purchase, and you’re also welcome to bring your own picnic and enjoy it by their outdoor fire pit.
Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events calendar for the schedule of food trucks that frequently grace the property with their culinary delights.
Furry friends are welcome, too! Dogs can join the outdoor fun but must remain leashed at all times.
As for the younger crowd, children of all ages are welcome, but only those 21 and over can partake in their meads and wines.
Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery: Wrap-Up
As the sun set over the picturesque Middletown Valley, casting its golden glow on the vines, I found myself not just savoring mead but indulging in an experience that transcended time.
Orchid Cellar is more than a winery; it’s a reminder that traditions, when nurtured with love and shared with the world, have the power to create lasting impressions.
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