About Us
The Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative
Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative (SMWGC) was formed in 2007 as the region began to transition away from tobacco production to other agricultural pursuits. The potential for the emerging wine industry to positively affect agriculture and tourism in Southern Maryland was recognized and supported by the state of Maryland, the local government, and farmers. Partnering with St. Mary’s County and Leonardtown, interested farmers and others with a passion for wine set in motion a plan to ensure the success of wine grape growing in Southern Maryland. The SMWGC formed as the first agricultural cooperative in the state of Maryland leading the way for viticulture and future wineries.
The Winery
Repurposing the former State Highway Administration buildings, the SMWGC entered into a lease agreement with the Town of Leonardtown in 2009 to operate the Port of Leonardtown Winery, making it the first commercial winery in St. Mary’s County. The tasting room opened in May 2010 as a promotional outlet for our locally grown grapes and locally produced wine.
Currently, we have 12 cooperative vineyards from St Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, and Kent counties. Our winemaker, Lauren Zimmerman, continues our tradition of high standards for our award winning wines. Our selection of fine wines continues to grow as we add new selections to our already outstanding list of wines. Since opening in 2010, we have won over 150 awards including multiple Best in Class awards & many international medals.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative is to promote the wine industry in Southern Maryland while producing a good economic return to investors and members.
We will work to keep Southern Maryland farmers farming, preserve the region’s land, environment, and rural way of life, while making a positive contribution to the regional economy, and sharing our passion for grape growing and wine making by producing quality wines at reasonable prices.
Meet the Winemaker: Lauren Zimmerman
Lauren Zimmerman is an accomplished winemaker with over 20 years of experience spanning vineyard management, winemaking, marketing, and sales. Her passion for wine began in her teenage years working in vineyards in Prince Edward County, Ontario. She went on to study Enology and Viticulture in Niagara Falls, Canada, graduating in 2006 from one of the country’s most dynamic wine regions. Following her education, Lauren gained extensive hands-on experience working with wineries across North America and internationally, including a year in New Zealand at Coopers Creek Winery. While this large-scale operation provided valuable insight, it reinforced her dedication to boutique winemaking, where craftsmanship, quality, and versatility are at the forefront. Lauren eventually purchased land and planted her own vineyard making her the youngest winemaker and vineyard owner in the region.
Lauren relocated to Southern Maryland, where she has played a pivotal role in elevating the region’s wine industry. As winemaker at Port of Leonardtown Winery, she has led the production of numerous award-winning wines, including multiple prestigious honors such as the Governor’s Cup (2018, 2020), Jack Aellen Trophy (2020), and Comptroller’s Cup (2021, 2024). Beyond the cellar, Lauren is an active leader and advocate for the wine and tourism industries. She has served on the boards of the Maryland Grape Growers Association and the Maryland Wineries Association, and has collaborated with Maryland Tourism to promote the region as a premier destination for craft beverages. Lauren resides in Southern Maryland with her husband and their children, where she continues to champion quality winemaking and support the growth of the local wine community.
Our Vineyards
Port of Leonardtown Winery consists of 12 vineyards from St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties in Maryland. Listed below are the grapes each grower contributes to our winery.
Forrest Hall Farm Vineyard
St. Marys County
Grows Cayuga, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal Blanc.
Gossett Farm
Calvert County
Grows Chambourcin.
Gray Wolf Vineyard
St. Mary’s County
Grows Traminette, Vidal Blanc, and Barbera.
Lawton Hall Vineyard
St. Mary’s County
Grows Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc.
Long Looked For Come At Last
St. Mary’s County
Grows Barbera, Petit Verdot, Vidal Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, and Albariño.
Mulberry Hill Farm
Calvert County
Grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Charnel, and Norton.
St Gabriel’s Manor Farm
St. Mary’s County
Grows Vidal Blanc.
St Michaels Manor
St. Mary’s County
Grows Chancellor, De Chaunac, Vidal Blanc, and Villard.
Stonemur Vineyard
Charles County
Grows Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Barbera, Lemberger, and Vanessa.
Summerseat Farm
St. Mary’s County
Grows Barbera, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Malvasia Bianca, Marechal Foch, Nebbiolo, Norton, Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier.
Tranquility Vineyard
Calvert County
Grows Cayuga, Chardonnay, and Chambourcin.