2023 Old Westminster "Pepper" Red, Carroll County, Maryland

Some wineries are built on centuries of tradition. Old Westminster Winery was built on rolling hills, a juniper nursery, a grandfather’s loan, and three siblings who said “I’m in if you’re in.” Founded by siblings Lisa, Drew, and Ashli in Carroll County, Maryland — Lisa as winemaker, Drew overseeing vineyard management, Ashli documenting the journey — Old Westminster is one of the most exciting and genuine family-owned, woman winemaker, certified organic estates on the East Coast. Named a top U.S. winery by both Cosmopolitan Magazine and USA Today in 2023, they farm 134 acres across two sites, tend 50,000 grapevines, and make wines that are as honest and grounded as the family behind them.

“Pepper” is exactly the wine you’d expect from a winery with this much personality: a rich, spicy, beautifully structured red blend of 65% Cabernet Franc, 25% Blaufränkisch, and 10% Chambourcin, aged 18 months in neutral oak. Ripe fruit, soft tannins, and those unmistakable spicy pyrazine notes that earned it the name. It’s the pair to their “Salt” — Salt & Pepper at the table, together. An inspiring, food-friendly, wallet-friendly everyday wine that punches well above its price. Woman-owned, certified organic, and one of Maryland’s finest.

Wine Details & Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes: Rich and ripe with soft tannins and the signature spicy pyrazine notes you’d expect from a wine called “Pepper.” Dark fruit, earthy depth, and a long, warming finish. 18 months in neutral oak adds texture and integration without masking the varietal character of the blend.

• Origin – Carroll County, Maryland, USA (134 acres farmed across Old Westminster Vineyard and Burnt Hill Farm, Montgomery County)
• Producer – Old Westminster Winery; woman-owned; family-owned; winemaker Lisa (sister); vineyard manager Drew (brother); brand director Ashli (sister); est. 2011; Certified Organic; named top U.S. winery by Cosmopolitan & USA Today, 2023
• Blend – 65% Cabernet Franc, 25% Blaufränkisch, 10% Chambourcin
• Aging – 18 months, neutral oak barrels
• Style – Dry red blend (natural wine; certified organic; beginner-friendly)
• ABV – 14.0%

Food Pairing

The spicy pyrazine character, ripe dark fruit, and soft tannins of this Maryland red blend make it one of the most food-versatile and crowd-pleasing East Coast reds you can pour. Pairs beautifully with wood-fired pizza (it’s literally on the menu at Old Westminster), grilled lamb, and herb-roasted pork. The Cabernet Franc’s earthy spice and the Blaufränkisch’s bright acidity make it a wonderful companion for mushroom dishes, beef stew, and charcuterie. Also excellent alongside aged cheddar, smoked cheeses, and anything that benefits from a wine with personality. A natural for Game Day, fall entertaining, and any dinner where the conversation is as lively as the wine. Serve at 62–66°F.

Occasion

This is your go-to Maryland red — the bottle for Wine Club selections, fall Game Day gatherings, and gifting the red wine enthusiast who appreciates natural, certified organic winemaking from one of the East Coast’s most celebrated and genuine family estates. An everyday wine that is both food and wallet friendly — and comes with one of the best origin stories in American winemaking.

Wine Producer / Historical Notes

Our family moved to the farm that is now Old Westminster Winery in the summer of 2000. The abandoned juniper nursery wasn’t much to look at — just some rolling hills dotted with hundreds of neglected, tangled shrubs. But we were kids full of energy and found the boundless adventures of open fields to be exhilarating. We held nothing but excitement for the future.

Our mom was a ’90s homesteader — homeschooling three children on a farm, tending to a garden, and turning every project into a DIY endeavor. Our dad was a skilled carpenter and entrepreneur who owned his own construction company. We learned the art of hospitality from one, and entrepreneurship from the other.

In 2008, the economic downturn halted our parents’ construction company. The farm sat on the market for over a year without a single visitor. So a new idea was born: an agricultural business. At the time, we were all away at college studying business management, chemistry, and marketing. After a candid “I’m in if you’re in” conversation, we set our aspirations on a vision to cultivate noteworthy wines that reflect our family and farm.

In 2011, on a loan from our grandfather, we purchased and planted 10,000 grapevines by hand. That summer, our dad built a small pole barn for grape processing and winemaking. Drew took the helm of vineyard management. Lisa mastered the art of winemaking. Ashli documented the journey along the way.

We now farm a combined 134 acres between Old Westminster and our second site, Burnt Hill Farm, in Montgomery County. Along with 50,000 grapevines, we tend to an apiary, a herd of woodland hogs, a mushroom farm, and fields of heritage grains. In 2023, Old Westminster Winery was named a top winery in the U.S. by Cosmopolitan Magazine and USA Today. We are proud of this story — and we look forward to sharing in these future chapters with you.

— Lisa, Drew and Ashli

Shipping

Free shipping when you purchase 6 bottles or more. Mix and match across our full collection.