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The Maryland Wineries Association is proud to announce the launch of the Maryland Wine Passport Program! This program was created to reward winery
visitors for their support of local businesses, local products and local agriculture.
Beautifully-designed passports provide a listing of all wineries and wine trails and are a convenient means of recording winery visits via stamps and codes, which will soon be redeemable on Marylandwine.com for exciting rewards.
The printed passport—available free for a limited time—can only be obtained at Maryland wineries, where they can be stamped just like a real traveler's passport.
The program is funded by the Maryland Wineries Association as well as partial funding from the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Producer Grant.
“The Maryland Department of Agriculture is excited to see efforts like the Maryland Wine Passport Program because it ings people out to our local
farms,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “Our wineries and vineyards offer a sustainable option for families to stay on their farms and to keep
farm land open and productive for future generations. They help Marylanders buy local and build a smart, green and growing future.”
Margot Amelia, executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, believes the passport program will greatly enhance Maryland's
tourism offerings.
“The Maryland Office of Tourism Development is excited about the launch of the new Maryland Wine Passport Program. Our local wineries are part of the
charm of Maryland...a Maryland of beauty, agriculture and delicious wine! The new Passport Program rewards visitors for enjoying the local bounty and
encourages them to explore Maryland.”
There are 49 licensed wineries in Maryland. These wineries sold about 1.4 million bottles of wine in 2009, and annual sales in fiscal 2009 are estimated at over $15 million.
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