Past, Present, and Future
If you've heard me speak about wine before, you've probably heard me say that wine is one of the few products in the world that captures an entire year's worth of weather, along with the personality and mindset of the person who made it.
That's one of the reasons I love what I do. Every vintage tells a story. A hot summer, a rainy harvest, a difficult season, or a joyful one—all of those things find their way into the bottle. Once a vintage is finished, it can never truly be recreated.
I can open any wine I've made since becoming Loew Vineyards' winemaker in 2018 and immediately remember what that year felt like. I remember the weather, the harvest, the challenges, and the milestones. Just as importantly, I can taste how I've grown as a winemaker. Looking back, it's rewarding to see how far both our wines and our winery have come.
When my grandparents founded Loew Vineyards in 1982, they envisioned a small, family-owned winery dedicated to producing exceptional wines and meads. Together, they built a business while reviving my grandfather's family's centuries-old winemaking and meadmaking tradition that had been lost during the Holocaust. Opening one of my grandfather's wines today is deeply personal. It also makes me wonder what will be thought of my wines ten or fifteen years from now.
For much of Loew Vineyards' history, our wines have reflected either my grandfather's style or my own. This vintage will mark the beginning of something new on a business and personal level. Many of you have already heard me mention Sam Adler, whom you'll have the opportunity to meet soon if you haven't already. Sam, who is my boyfriend, joined Loew Vineyards this year to work with me to manage both our winery and business operations. Our story of how we met is unique in itself (those who visit will be able to hear how we met).
Sam discovered winemaking while living in Israel, earned his Master's degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, worked at wineries throughout Israel, and most recently made wine in Charlottesville, Virginia. What impressed us most isn't just Sam's experience—it's how naturally Sam and my strengths complement one another. His background is highly technical and commercially focused, while mine is rooted in our family's traditions, supported by formal education (Bachelors degrees from UMD and winemaking certification from Washington State University) and years of hands-on experience at Loew Vineyards and internationally. Together, we challenge one another, share ideas openly, and ultimately make better decisions for the future of the winery.
My grandmother, my family, and I are incredibly grateful to have Sam as part of our team. As we look toward the future of Loew Vineyards, having a trusted partner to help steward the winery means more than I can express. In many ways, it reminds me of how my grandparents built this winery together—each bringing different strengths while working toward the same goal. Just like my grandparents had each other, I have Sam.
Our first event together will be Wine Camp on July 19th, where we'll lead vertical tastings featuring wines from multiple vintages alongside several unreleased red blends that Sam and I created together. I can't think of a better way to share how our past informs our future.
The future of Loew Vineyards is bright. Our mission remains unchanged: to craft exceptional Maryland wines and meads while honoring the legacy that began generations ago. As our winery continues to evolve, so will our wines, and I'm excited for you to taste what comes next.