Cool Ridge Vineyard

Cool Ridge Vineyard is a 15-acre estate winery in Washington County, Maryland, owned and operated by Gerhard and Suzanne Glocker. The vineyard sits atop Cool Ridge, with terraces descending toward Cool Hollow and Antietam Creek, on steep south-facing slopes of limestone soil. Gerhard Glocker, who spent his early years helping his uncle with vineyards and winemaking in Heidelberg, Germany, planted the vineyard in 2008. He grows nine vinifera varieties entirely by hand: Chardonnay, Viognier, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and Pinot Gris for whites, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot for reds. The vines are dry farmed without irrigation, pruned by hand each winter, and hand harvested in the fall. The winery crafts small-lot wines from estate-grown grapes with minimal intervention, letting each vintage reflect the growing season. Its Bordeaux-style Cool Red blend earned 91 points from James Suckling for the 2015 vintage. Tours and tastings are offered by appointment only.

Written by Ava from public sources. Not written or reviewed by the winery.