Annual Decanter Wine and Racing Festival heads to Laurel Park Race Course

Wine&Racing — Credit: Duane Heaton/Maryland Wineries Association

Watch and bet on live turf and dirt horse racing while sipping on some of the best wines from across the state of Maryland at the 7^th Annual Decanter Wine and Racing Festival, taking place from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, at Laurel Park Race Course

The event, sponsored by the Maryland Wineries Association, allows guests to sample a wide variety of wines and cider from more than 20 Maryland wineries, browse wine and equine themed arts and crafts, enjoy live music, dine on local fare and experience live horse racing. In addition, there will be a “best-dressed” contest for both men and women, where winners will receive two tickets to a future Maryland Wine event and a pair of tickets to the Black-Eyed Susan Day Flute Club concert.

Maryland wines being featured at the event include those from Boordy Vineyards, Bodegas Gonzalez, Bordeleau Winery, DeJon Vineyard, Far Eastern Shore Winery, Fridays Creek Winery, Great Shoals Winery, Harford Vineyard & Winery, Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard, Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery, Linganore Winecellars, Olney Winery, Romano Vineyard & Winery, Royal Rabbit Vineyards,Solomons Island Winery, Port of Leonardtown Winery, Romano Vineyard & Winery, Royal Rabbit, and The Urban Winery.

This will be the first year that the Decanter Wine and Racing Festival is being held at Laurel Park Race Course. The course has recently undergoing a multi million dollar renovation.

General admission tickets for the Decanter Wine and Racing Festival are $30 in advance ($35 at the door) and include admission to the event and tastings throughout the day. The Decanter Pass VIP tickets are $50 in advance ($55 at the door) and include an upgraded wine glass and samples of exclusive Decanter wines from each attending winery including new releases, limited productions, premium and label wines. Designated driver/youth tickets are $20 and kids under 10 are free.

On-site parking is free and the event will take place rain or shine. For more information or to purchase tickets vist decanterwinefestival.com or call 410-252-9463.

Troy Petenbrink

Troy, also known as The Gay Traveler, is a well known travel and food writer. His has been a regular contributor to a variety of outlets including National Geographic, Travel Channel, DCRefined, CBS Local, and Metro Weekly. He also appears on local Washington news outlets as a travel expert.