Alta Valle Enterprises Winery has been quite the unexpected adventure for our family. The idea of growing grapes on the farm took life when we discovered that the state of Maryland had been seeking vineyards to supply the state’s wineries. We quickly learned that grapes are expensive to farm and do not yield a high profit, so we decided to expand our initial grape growing business, “Valley High Vineyards,” to include a winery.

Where We Started

Mom and dad passed the farm to us, and we have been working to keep it running. The farm was sustainable as a horse boarding farm for quite some time. We still raise grain crops and participate in forestry programs.

The Vineyard

The land that makes up Carroll County has been home to our ancestors for over 300 years. Both of our parents’ ancestors came to the American colonies seeking freedom and opportunity. Mom’s family came from Scotland, England and Ireland starting in the 1600s. Dad’s family arrived in Philadelphia in the early 1700s from Bavaria as part of the palatine German migration. Several of our ancestors participated in the United States War of Independance and the War of 1812.

Our parents bought this farm in 1952 to raise dairy cattle. Unfortunately, the consolidation of dairy farms led to the demise of the small dairy farmers and our parents struggled to survive. Dad switched over to raising premium beef cattle and maintained the struggle to grow grain crops, and hay on our dry rocky soil.

After five years of growing, we have been able to make enough grape juice to provide for our own winemaking, as well as provide juice to our partner wineries. These friends have had great success with our grapes, which have provided them with several award-winning vintages. We have also been able to explore the world of wine sales through private tastings and local events. These experiences have allowed us to dip our toes into the water before diving in, so we can better prepare for the official winery opening.

The Winery

In 2021, we decided to expand our business and develop a winery, which has taken years of preparation. We worked diligently to prepare the farm and acquire the licenses and approvals necessary to become a “Carroll County Farm Based Alcohol Producer.” After researching wine making and wineries, we determined the best approach for this winery is to keep things simple. We initially process all of our grapes in the field as soon as they are picked. The reds are deposited into vats, whereas whites are pressed fresh off of the vine. Once the grape juices make it to the processing stage, they are stored at the winery in glass and stainless-steel tanks. We oak a select few wines as they process using oak infusion spirals and chips. This method reduces the demand for heavy and expensive oak barrels and offers a more environmentally sound option with delicious results. We are very proud of the natural flavors of our wines. The only chemical we use is potassium metabisulfite, which is initially introduced to the wine to prevent bad yeasts and fungi from growing. Select yeasts are used to start the fermentation process, and the grape juice is left to rest. The wine’s cycle of life may involve cold stabilization, racking for debris elimination, filtering, bottling, and then offered to you! We currently offer a range of dry and sweet wines that you can learn more about at wines page. We are working to offer more complex blends and sparkling wines in the future as we work with a master wine maker.

We have entered 2025 with excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to open our winery and tasting room to you this spring. Whether we have met you at previous events or are not yet acquainted, we understand that no two wineries are alike, and we hope to cultivate a welcoming experience.

Our Promise to You

In 2018 we looked into the possibility that grapes will grow on our farm. The farm is located just west of Westminster, Maryland, approximately 825 feet elevation. The soil lacks biological matter, but is rich in limestone, shale, quartz and other trace elements. It is very dry and fast draining. Our fields are no stranger to high winds, which extend across the plateau from the Catoctin Mountains and the hills of western Carroll County. The sun arc shines on our vineyard fields at first light as our grapes form in the summer until it sets behind the Catoctins, which nourishes our grapes and provides us with beautiful sunsets.

We are going to strive to make Alta Valle a community winery. Our goal is to ensure our lifelong commitment to serving the community resonates in our vineyard and winery. We want you to feel at home. We grew up raising cattle, so we understand the importance of being part of a herd!

We invite you to come out and become a member of our little herd, hang out, and let us know what we can do for you. We are happy to hear your ideas and will do our best to make them come to life.

Welcome,

David, Sandy, and Randy