Black Ankle birthday (and wine) party on Oct. 3-4

You've read here and elsewhere about Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Md., and the remarkable start that winery has had, both in sales and recognition. It has owned the Maryland Governor's Cup, earning best of show in its first two years of entering wines into the competition. Its Bordeaux (red) blends have won consecutive years, the 2006 Crumbling Rock ($40) winning last year and 2007 Crumbling Rock earning honors just a couple of weeks ago.

And owners Sarah O'Herron and Ed Boyce are proudly touting that its Left-Stone Syrah, which hasn't been released as yet, took first in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine competition.

So if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you might want to circle Oct. 3-4 on your calendar and head to the winery to help celebrate its first anniversdary. The winery will be open noon to 6 p.m. that Saturday and noon to 5 o'clock the next day. And if you can't make down to the winery, here are some other places that Black Ankle wines will be poured over the next six weeks.

Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Di Pasquale's Italian Market in Baltimore

Sunday, Sept. 13, all morning
Bethesda Central Farmer’s Market

Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 o'clock
Volt at Whitmore Farm
Award-winning chef Bryan Voltaggio will create an elegant 6-course dinner at the certified-organic Whitmore Farm, and Black Ankle's wines will be among those poured for the dinner. For more information, please visit Volt Restaurant or call Volt Restaurant: 301.696.8658.

Friday, Sept. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Wells in Baltimore

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 19-20, The Maryland Wine Festival in Westminster, Maryland's biggest wine festival

Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
Chesapeake Wine Company
$25
Enjoy a flight of wine paired with a delicious selection of antipasti in the warm and friendly atmosphere at Chesapeake Wine Company. $5 from every tasting fee goes to benefit Partners in Health.

Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6:30
$49
Drink Local: MD & VA Wine Seminar and Tasting
Whittemore House in Washington, DC

Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer in Clarksburg, MD

Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Longmeadow Wine & Liquors in Hagerstown

Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits in Annapolis

Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Mount Airy Liquors in Mt. Airy

Friday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Calvert Wine & Spirits in Hunt Valley

Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 2:15 and 3 to 4:15
Great Gatherings in Annapolis
Join us for a fun and casual wine tasting in the home store that specializes in everything you need to have a great time or throw a great party at home! Please contact the store to RSVP in advance.

Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Bin604 in Baltimore

Friday, Oct. 30, 4:30 to 7:30
Lyndwood Square Wine & Spirits in Elkridge, MD

Black Ankle's Crumbling Rock voted state's top wine in Governor's Cup competition

Inside the Black Ankle tasting room and a view from the patio.

Results are in from the Maryland Governor's Cup competition and the new kids on the block, Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, had the most to celebrate.

Guided by the work of Sarah O'Herron and Ed Boyce, the Frederick County winery won a best in show with its 2007 Crumbling Rock, its Bordeaux-style red. That wine was best in class in the best red blend category, and its 2008 Bedlam was named best white blend. A 2007 vintage of that same white blend -- a mix of Viognier, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner and Albarino -- was a winner of the 2008 Maryland Winemasters' Choice Award. Not even open a year yet, the winery already is considered by some as the best winery in Maryland and among the best on the East Coast for the quality of its wines. The winery's success is even more of an achievement considering that it's still in its infancy.

Elk Run Vineyards, essentially a next-door neighbor of Black Ankle, took best in class in the best red division and a double gold with its 2007 Cold Friday Cabernet Sauvignon.

Below are some of the top wines and wineries, with a link to the complete list. By the way, one way to taste many of these wines is to attend the 26th annual Maryland Wine Festival on Sept. 19-20 at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster. You can find out more by clicking on this link.

Best in Show
Black Ankle Vineyards, 2007 Crumbling Rock

Best of Class Awards
BEST RED: Elk Run Vineyards • Cold Friday Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
BEST RED BLEND: Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2007
BEST WHITE: Fiore Winery • Chardonnay 2007
BEST WHITE BLEND: Black Ankle Vineyards • Bedlam 2008
BEST OFF-DRY: Cygnus Wine Cellars • Manchester Hall 2007
BEST SWEET: Orchid Cellar • Monk (mead)
BEST DESSERT: Dove Valley Winery • Late Harvest Vignoles 2007

Double-Gold Medalists
Elk Run Vineyards • Cold Friday Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Gold Medalists
Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2007
Black Ankle Vineyards • Leafstone Syrah 2007
Black Ankle Vineyards • Rolling Hills 2007
Black Ankle Vineyards • Bedlam 2008
Cascia Vineyard • Queen Anne Reserve 2005
Cove Point Winery • Blaufrankish
Cygnus Wine Cellars • Manchester Hall 2007
Dove Valley Winery • Late Harvest Vignoles 2007
Elk Run Vineyards • Liberty Tavern Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Elk Run Vineyards • Vin de Jus Glace 2006
Fiore Winery • Chardonnay 2007
Legends Vineyard • Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Legends Vineyard • Meritage 2007
Legends Vineyard • Pinot Gris 2008
Orchid Cellar • Monk
Revolution Winery • Declaration Meritage 2007
Revolution Winery • Pursuit of Happiness NV
Running Hare Vineyard • Chardonnay 2008
Running Hare Vineyard • Sangiovese 2008
Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2007
St. Michael’s Winery • Syrah 2007
Woodhall Wine Cellars • Golden Run Reserve Barbera 2008

Complete winners identified at this link.