Did You Know: They Produce Malbec Wine on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Allen, Mary Land- Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery.
The name, Bordeleau "The Water's Edge" was chosen to reflect not only the distinctive environment where we hand-harvest our grapes, but also the favorable climate similarities to the Bordeaux region of France.
Their unique wine production located on the Mary Land Eastern Shore, their mission is to create their own world-class wines...a little closer to home.
From start to finish, Tom Shelton, owner and winemaker, is involved in creating and perfecting all that it takes to make award-winning wines. He is particular about everything, from pruning vines to the operation of the bottling line to the freshness of the wines being served in the tasting room. Tom's hands-on approach is one of the reasons that Bordeleau is now recognized as one of the best wineries in Maryland.
With an early interest in agriculture and using management skills developed in the poultry industry, Tom followed an interest spawned when he started making fruit wines while still in his teens. After purchasing a farm in Allen, Maryland in 1998, he planted his first grape vines in 1999. Early plantings were Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin, and he continued planting additional grape vines each year through 2003. Other varieties planted were Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Wines as good as they get are here. And with great packaging and labels. Plus at reasonable prices. Merlot is a difficult grape to grow & produce wine from here on the US East Coast especially in the sandy soil of the Eastern Shore as it likes a more earthy rocky soil, such as its found in Argentina.
I never make a trip down to Ocean City, Maryland without stopping at the Bordeleau Winery, just south of Salisbury. The drive up is stunning with manicured vineyards the equal of any I have seen in France or Napa Valley. The wines are to die for. The winery makes absolutely superb dry reds. One of the wines, Chambourcin keeps winning double gold medals. It’s hard to win a gold medal but a double gold is the entire judging panel voting unanimously for gold, so that's rare. This Chambourcin, which is a French American hybrid grape, has been transformed into a fantastic complex and mellow red, with excellent tannins and light smoky overtones to my tastes. Very nice smooth flavour. The Cabernet Sauvignon was great with these light cinnamon mocha and chocolate flavours popping for me. There is a fantastic fruity Merlot with great body. I tried the Meritage which really shows off the blending skills of the winery as all of the great red grapes they grow have been brought into one delicious wine. There is a Cab Franc which to me is like Pinot Noir with more flavor. The setting is on a beautiful river and boats and kayaks come up to the winery's fantastic dock. A not to be missed treat. The service was great and the staff was knowledgeable. This winery shows off the best of eastern wineries. These products are the equal of any from California, France or elsewhere.
Bordeleau Winery - 3155 Noble Farm Rd, Eden, MD 21822
David B Sulin
Copa Style
Columbia, Mary Land, USA
Allen, Mary Land- Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery.
The name, Bordeleau "The Water's Edge" was chosen to reflect not only the distinctive environment where we hand-harvest our grapes, but also the favorable climate similarities to the Bordeaux region of France.
Their unique wine production located on the Mary Land Eastern Shore, their mission is to create their own world-class wines...a little closer to home.
From start to finish, Tom Shelton, owner and winemaker, is involved in creating and perfecting all that it takes to make award-winning wines. He is particular about everything, from pruning vines to the operation of the bottling line to the freshness of the wines being served in the tasting room. Tom's hands-on approach is one of the reasons that Bordeleau is now recognized as one of the best wineries in Maryland.
With an early interest in agriculture and using management skills developed in the poultry industry, Tom followed an interest spawned when he started making fruit wines while still in his teens. After purchasing a farm in Allen, Maryland in 1998, he planted his first grape vines in 1999. Early plantings were Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin, and he continued planting additional grape vines each year through 2003. Other varieties planted were Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Wines as good as they get are here. And with great packaging and labels. Plus at reasonable prices. Merlot is a difficult grape to grow & produce wine from here on the US East Coast especially in the sandy soil of the Eastern Shore as it likes a more earthy rocky soil, such as its found in Argentina.
I never make a trip down to Ocean City, Maryland without stopping at the Bordeleau Winery, just south of Salisbury. The drive up is stunning with manicured vineyards the equal of any I have seen in France or Napa Valley. The wines are to die for. The winery makes absolutely superb dry reds. One of the wines, Chambourcin keeps winning double gold medals. It’s hard to win a gold medal but a double gold is the entire judging panel voting unanimously for gold, so that's rare. This Chambourcin, which is a French American hybrid grape, has been transformed into a fantastic complex and mellow red, with excellent tannins and light smoky overtones to my tastes. Very nice smooth flavour. The Cabernet Sauvignon was great with these light cinnamon mocha and chocolate flavours popping for me. There is a fantastic fruity Merlot with great body. I tried the Meritage which really shows off the blending skills of the winery as all of the great red grapes they grow have been brought into one delicious wine. There is a Cab Franc which to me is like Pinot Noir with more flavor. The setting is on a beautiful river and boats and kayaks come up to the winery's fantastic dock. A not to be missed treat. The service was great and the staff was knowledgeable. This winery shows off the best of eastern wineries. These products are the equal of any from California, France or elsewhere.
Bordeleau Winery - 3155 Noble Farm Rd, Eden, MD 21822
David B Sulin
Copa Style
Columbia, Mary Land, USA