catoctin breeze

Started by Polish immigrants who came over to the U.S. as refugees over 40 years ago, this winery has been getting a lot of attention and winning awards for their wines. Wojciech and Alicja Fizyta were given the choice between the U.S. and Australia and wound up here in the states in Detroit with just two suitcases and $800 in their pockets. Wojciech worked at Chrysler until saving up enough to purchase Catoctin Breeze Vineyard. A set of doors made in Poland are in the tasting room as a nod to their heritage. Now their children are keeping true to their legacy in this family-owned vineyard. Adam is a co-owner with their winemaker, Mike, and Adam's brother, Tommy, is the general manager. He worked in construction so they have been able to do most of the work themselves. Known mostly for their award winning syrah, they have also made excellent viognier, rose, chardonnay and blends in recent years. Wojciech and Alicja moved to the the D.C. area and raised four children until moving to the country to start this winery, which officially planted in 2010. Attributing a lot of their successful wines to the steep slopes, rare limestone soil for airation and cool breezes the Catoctin Mountains offer, they harvested their first grapes in 2012 and have been winning awards at the Fingerlakes International Wine Competition and the Maryland Governor's Cup. 2012's Symphony Chardonnay was their first gold medal. There is lots of musical influence in their wine names and labels. The winemaker and owners are known to listen to different musical pieces while tasting the wines to pair them up appropriately. Noted by their signature butterfly logos on all estate labels, these grapes are all grown on site. The composer series wines all have descriptions of the musical pieces that tie into each wine chosen to pair with them. A lot of time, thought and passion is clearly put into all aspects of the wine at this winery and it comes through in the wine. We have had the pleasure of being a part of their "Catoctin Cru" in prior years and had our most recent visit and tasting in January 2024. While they  unfortunately won't be making any more of their prized viognier and syrah going forward due to the grapes being too temperamental, that is allowing them to focus more on other exciting varietals. Our favorites from our most recent tasting were definitely the 2020 cabernet franc, 2021 teroldego and rose. The cabernet franc was aged in American oak and had great spice on the nose, palate and finish. The teroldego was more fruit forward with nice dark fruit and floral notes. I believe Catoctin is the only winery in Maryland making this northern Italian grape. Currently their rose is made with cabernet franc and aged on the lees for nice balance and complexity. We have nothing but great things to say about this winery and are looking forward to which wines will be taking the place of viognier and syrah in our hearts as new varietals are planted.