Located just a few miles from Ocean City, Maryland, Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery is the perfect sanctuary away from the tourist crush. On the outside, Windmill Creek has a merry, quirky vibe with plenty of seating options including a really cool wine bottle patio. Ah, but the true centerpiece of Windmill Creek is the tasting room set inside a stately farmhouse rich in history. It was built in 1858 by Lemuel Showell II for his son, Lemuel III who was one of the original founders of Ocean City. The farmhouse was purchased by Edwin Mariner in 1924 and has remained in that family ever since. Current owners Barry and Jeannie Mariner inherited the house in 2015 and after 3 ½ years of renovations, opened it to the public as a winery in August 2018. The house is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
After a vigorous stroll through the scenic grounds, my husband and I had worked up quite an appetite and thirst and Windmill Creek didn’t let us down. Their onsite food truck, The Garden Grill, has a diverse menu guaranteed to calm those hunger pangs. I have to say that my chicken salad wrap was one the best I’ve ever tasted. So with our bellies now full, it was on to the tasting and once again, Windmill Creek didn’t disappoint. First up was the Gruner Veltliner, a pleasant dry white with notes of pineapple. The semi-dry Viognier with its tropical notes was smooth and easy on the palate while the semi-sweet Summer Red has cherry notes with a peppery finish and made for a fantastic wine slushy. But the wine that won the day for me was the Wildflower with its floral nose and refreshing hints of grapefruit.
Besides delicious food and first-rate wine, Windmill Creek also offers live music and is dog-friendly to boot! So next time you’re in the Ocean City area, escape to this oasis away from all the madness, you won't regret it.
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