Maryland Wine
Maryland Wineries Association (Maryland Wine) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, founded 1984 in Annapolis, representing 68-85 member wineries across 18 Maryland counties through coordinated wine trails, the Governor's Cup competition, consumer festivals, and regulatory advocacy for direct shipping and farmers market rights.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersAnnapolis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Maryland Wine does
Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), doing business online as Maryland Wine, is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 1984 and headquartered at 1783 Forest Drive #343, Annapolis, Maryland. It represents approximately 68-85 member wineries spread across 18 Maryland counties, supported by an Executive Director (Kevin Atticks) and an elected Board of Directors led by President Judy Crow (Crow Vineyards), Vice President Adam Fizyta (Catoctin Breeze Vineyard), Treasurer Kimberly Johnson (Philosophy Winery), and Secretary Karen Seppi (Love Point Vineyards).
MWA's core service portfolio consists of wine tourism infrastructure and industry advocacy. It coordinates ten self-guided wine trails plus dedicated Cider and Mead trails, an interactive member winery directory and map, an Explorer Pass passport program, and an annual itinerary builder (Create Your Journey). It hosts and promotes the Maryland Wine Festival (~25,000 annual attendees, running for 40+ years), the annual Governor's Cup Competition, and events such as Wineries Without Walls. Member education is delivered through the Cultivate + Craft Academy and a partnership with University of Maryland Extension's Viticulturist Dr. Joe Fiola, including commercial vineyard expansion courses and the MyIPM disease-identification app.
Revenue is generated almost entirely through annual membership dues from winery members (full winery, affiliate, and "Winery In-Planning" categories) on a recurring subscription basis, with ancillary income from event and festival promotion. MWA's go-to-market is hybrid: an event-driven consumer marketing motion (festivals, trails, Maryland Wine Month each March) combined with direct-to-consumer support for member wineries via tasting rooms, wine clubs, and the shipping and farmers market channels the association has helped secure legislatively. The regulatory footprint includes the 2010 Maryland Winery Modernization Act (farmers market permits), the 2011 Direct Wine Shippers Permits, and the 2021 coalition (with Brewers Association of Maryland and Maryland Distillers Guild) backing House Bill 1232 to broaden DTC alcohol shipping.
Maryland Wine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Maryland Wine
- Legal name
- Maryland Wineries Association
- Website
- https://marylandwine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Maryland Wineries Association (Maryland Wine) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, founded 1984 in Annapolis, representing 68-85 member wineries across 18 Maryland counties through coordinated wine trails, the Governor's Cup competition, consumer festivals, and regulatory advocacy for direct shipping and farmers market rights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Maryland Wine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wine Industry Trade Association
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130), Wineries (31213)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)
Keywords
Where Maryland Wine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Annapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Maryland Wine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: The Maryland Wineries Association generates revenue through annual membership dues from winery members. Wineries join as either full winery members or affiliate members, with a 'Winery In-Planning' category for prospective members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Winery membership dues |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Burger Night at Crow event ticket |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Wine tasting at Celebration Cellars |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Seven Course Dinner with Chef Robbie Jester |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Valentine's Dinner with Chef Paul McCormick |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Concerts in the Country |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Derby at the Vineyard |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Wine Seminars at Crow Vineyard |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Caribbean Wine & Music Festival |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Turkish Lantern Workshop |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Maryland Wine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes Maryland's grape and wine industry on behalf of approximately 68-85 member wineries. It coordinates wine trails, festivals, an Explorer's Pass tourism program, annual wine competitions (Governor's Cup, Jack Aellen Cup), and educational resources for winery startups, while advocating for favorable legislation such as direct-to-consumer shipping rights.
Product overview
Maryland Wineries Association operates as a trade organization representing Maryland's wine industry rather than a single unified product company. The Association's portfolio consists of wine tourism promotion services (Wine Trails, Explorer's Pass, interactive winery mapping), annual wine competitions (Governor's Cup, Jack Aellen Cup), educational resources for prospective winery owners, and event programming including the Wineries Without Walls mobile tasting series. These services collectively support Maryland's 68 member wineries through marketing, education, and industry events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wine Trails
- Explorer's Pass
- Winery Directory & Interactive Map (Create Your Journey)
- Maryland Governor's Cup Competition
- Jack Aellen Cup
- Winery Startup Resources
- Wineries Without Walls
Companies that use Maryland Wine
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Maryland Wine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Maryland Wine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Maryland Grape Growers AssociationcoreMGGA formed in 1981 to promote grape growing and winemaking industries. Non-profit organization of grape growers and winemakers providing resources to grow high-quality grapes for Maryland wineries.
- University of Maryland ExtensioncorePartnership with University of Maryland Extension's Viticulturist Dr. Joe Fiola for industry research and education. Dr. Fiola contributed to MWA's Commercial Vineyard Expansion course and MyIPM app for vineyard disease identification.
- WineAmericaminorNational wine industry organization. MWA displays WineAmerica logo on website indicating membership in the national trade association.
- Cultivate + Craft AcademycoreMWA sponsors courses through Cultivate + Craft Academy including Craft Beverage Producer Startup webinar and Commercial Vineyard Expansion course covering industry basics, law, licensing, viticulture, and winery topics.
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)coreFederal agency that issues Wine Basic Permits required for winery operations. MWA guides prospective wineries through federal licensing process.
- Maryland Alcohol Tobacco & Cannabis CommissioncoreState agency that issues Maryland winery licenses (Class 3 and Class 4). MWA supports wineries through state licensing process and ensures zoning compliance.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Maryland Wine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Maryland Distillers Guild: Maryland's craft spirits trade body. Co-coalition partner with MWA on HB 1232; comparable as a Maryland-based craft beverage association with similar advocacy and promotion mission.
- Pennsylvania Winery Association: Trade association representing Pennsylvania wineries. Direct peer to MWA in geography and structure, both serving Mid-Atlantic wineries with regulatory complexity, DTC channel advocacy, and wine trail promotion.
- Virginia Wine Board: State-level trade and promotional body for Virginia wineries. Closest direct peer to MWA given the similar Mid-Atlantic/Blue Ridge geography, viticulture profile, and trade association structure serving member wineries.
- Brewers Association of Maryland: Maryland craft beverage trade body representing breweries. MWA partnered with this organization in 2021 on HB 1232; directly comparable as a sister state trade association in the Maryland craft beverage ecosystem.
- New York Wine & Grape Foundation: New York state's umbrella organization promoting its wine and grape industry. Comparable to MWA as a state-level trade body that runs promotional programs, education, and legislative advocacy for member wineries.
Broad incumbents
- California Wine Institute: Largest US state wine trade association representing California producers. Functions as a broad incumbent peer to MWA in the same role (state-level trade body for wineries) but at vastly greater scale.
- WineAmerica: National wine industry trade association of which MWA is a member. MWA displays the WineAmerica logo, indicating an upstream/downstream relationship; comparable as the broader national counterpart to MWA's state-level mission.
- Oregon Wine Board: Oregon's state agency supporting and promoting the Oregon wine industry. Comparable to MWA as a state-level promotional and educational body, though with significantly larger member base and budget.
Regional players
- Finger Lakes Wine Alliance: Regional wine trade body in New York's Finger Lakes. Comparable to MWA in promoting a specific American Viticultural Area, running trails and events, and advocating for member wineries, though operating in a different geography.
Emerging players
- Maryland Grape Growers Association: MGGA was formed in 1981 (three years before MWA) to promote grape growing and winemaking in Maryland. Closely adjacent to MWA and a mutual strategic partner; comparable as a Maryland-specific agricultural trade body.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Maryland Wine social profiles
Digital presenceMaryland Wine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Maryland Wine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Maryland Wine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Maryland Wine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Maryland Wine
What does Maryland Wine do?
The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes Maryland's grape and wine industry on behalf of approximately 68-85 member wineries. It coordinates wine trails, festivals, an Explorer's Pass tourism program, annual wine competitions (Governor's Cup, Jack Aellen Cup), and educational resources for winery startups, while advocating for favorable legislation such as direct-to-consumer shipping rights.
Is Maryland Wine a public or private company?
Maryland Wine is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Maryland Wine founded?
Maryland Wine was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Maryland Wine based?
Maryland Wine is headquartered in Annapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Maryland Wine make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are Maryland Wine's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Maryland Distillers Guild, Pennsylvania Winery Association, Virginia Wine Board, Brewers Association of Maryland and New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Broad incumbents are California Wine Institute, WineAmerica and Oregon Wine Board. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is listed as a regional player. Maryland Grape Growers Association is listed as an emerging player.
Does Maryland Wine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Maryland Wine.
What industry is Maryland Wine in?
Maryland Wine's product category is Wine Industry Trade Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAB, Wine Production & Winemaking, with a secondary code of THAFALAE, Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms). Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 8600.