Community Corner

Wine Flowing More Freely at Maryland Farmers Markets

A new permitting system makes statewide permits available to local wineries wanting to showcase their pours.

Something you're sure to see more and more this season at farmers markets in Silver Spring and Wheaton: wine. 

A new permitting system from the Maryland Department of Agriculture cleans up the old county-by-county process and frees up local wineries to set up shop at as many registered farmers markets as they'd like, a release from the department explains.

The hope is that shoppers will try local wine, along with their local produce and meat. 

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“This permit is a great example of the industry and state working together to promote local wines to customers already focused on buying other locally grown products,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, in a statement. “We hope to turn locavours into locapours via farmers markets.”

Old rules and local rules still apply, though, and wineries aren't allowed to sell wine by the glass. 

Find out what's happening in Silver Springwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are 181 farmers markets registered at MarylandsBest.net and 72 of them are in Montgomery County, according to the website. 

Head here for a list of markets near you. 


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