royal rabbit vineyards

Lucky enough to get a tasting on Friday, December 29th when they are offered by appointment only - we didn't have one but a quick phone call and owner, Ray Albin, was happy to come down from his house and pour some wines for us, even allowing our dog to join us in the tasting room for her first winery experience. Owners, Roy and his wife Linda have been making wine for over 30 years and opened their winery in Parkton, Maryland in 2011. Inspired by both their love of the medieval era, you will quickly notice the theme running through the vineyard and on their wine lables. With wines like the Duke and Baroness and events like renaissance fairs and tarot readings, this is a very unique and interesting winery worth visiting. During our visit, chatting with Roy we learned that they planted in 2003 and the wines made on site are all small batch. Their official opening date of the winery was Black Friday of 2011. They typically do a medium plus toast on all barrels so you will taste that extra smokiness in their  wines aged in barrels. Our favorites from the tasting were the Duke and Earl. This year's Duke is a blend of 50% cabernet franc, and around 17% each of merlot, petite verdot and cabernet sauvignon. The earl was predominantly cabernet sauvignon with an herbaceous, smoky flavor. As a little bonus taste at the end of our tastings we got to try something new Roy has been working on, a sweet vermouth. This is the only one in Maryland we are aware of. It was around 6% ABV with orange, camomille and bergomot flavors. All in all, this was a very enjoyable visit from a winery owner who was talented at making wine and also a gracious host. We also left with one of their chef & sommelier glasses sporting their royal rabbit logo and signature phrase "treat yourself royally." With this high quality glass now added to our collection, it it one of our go-to's for doing just that.