Photo by: Loblolly.biz
The story of the modern farmer is told in many ways. Many Maryland farmers have found ways to diversify and add value to their businesses. Crow Vineyard & Winery, located in Kennedyville, Maryland, is a family farm that has operated for three generations and is promising to be an destination for wine enthusiasts and tourists well into the future. Featuring a “farmstay” experience through the B&B on the property, Crow Vineyard & Winery offers guests an opportunity to see what local agriculture means to the families who operate these businesses and learn about the land from which their favorite products come.
We had a chance to speak with Judy Crow about Crow Vineyard & Winery for this installment of Cellar Chats.
What is the area around Crow Vineyard & Winery historically known for?
Kent County Md. is a Rural county mostly know for row crops; corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and dairy. There are a variety waterways that attract boaters in the summer months. Chestertown a quaint colonial town has many shops and restaurants. Rock Hall is on the Chesapeake bay and features a tourist industry in the summer months. Know for restaurants that serve local seafood.
Crow Vineyard & Winery is located on a third generation working farm, what has the farm produced throughout the generations?
The farm has been in Roy Crow’s family for 3 generations. For many years the 365 acre dairy farm was an active farm. In 2001 the dairy herd was sold and Roy purchased a Nationwide Insurance Company in Middletown, Del. In 2006 Roy meet Judy and they set on a path to diversify the family farm.
How did Crow Vineyard & Winery come to be the business that is currently operating on the farm?
In 2008 Roy and Judy got married and renovated the 1847 farm house for a farmstay B&B. They had 10 head of angus beef and began to increase the herd, which is now 100 head. Beef sales, farmstay B&B and the planting of a vineyard was all part of the planning for the agritourism experience. In 2011 they built a winery in a space that used to be a dirt floor equipment shed. The winery today produces 5,000 cases-per-year in a state of the art facility. The vineyard has 12 acres of grapes that Brandon Hoy their son manages.
Where did the idea of making the farm a destination for travelers to visit and stay originate?
The idea was Judy’s. It takes new vision to breath life into an old farm life.
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