Family running Md. winery feels like it's 'finally starting to get some momentum'
Harford Vineyard & Winery makes more than a dozen wines in addition to what it produces in its distillery.
Harford Vineyard & Winery is a member of the Piedmont Wine Trail, one of eight trails operating across Maryland.
The seven members of the Piedmont trail stretch from Fiore Winery & Distillery and Royal Rabbit Vineyards on the north to Boordy Vineyards and DeJon Vineyard in northern Baltimore County, with Basignani, Harford and Mount Felix wineries stretching from west to east between those four.
Harford Vineyard & Winery pursued and got some grant funding from the Maryland Wineries Association, and within the guidelines of the grant, decided to have four-bottle tote bags produced with the wine trail logo on the side and then distributed to the seven wineries to use.
The one in the photo was picked up at Boordy a couple of weeks ago.
“The grant opportunity had to be something that could pertain to everyone,” explained Brent Mooney, whose parents planted the grapes that blossomed into a licensed winery more than 20 years ago. “Bags with our individual logos would have been ideal but just not obtainable through the grant money that was available. [So] we just wanted to make use of money that was out there where everyone would benefit.”
Located at 1311 W. Jarrettsville Road in Forest Hill, Maryland, the winery and distillery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, and sometimes later for after-hour events. Its portfolio includes around two dozen products, from dry and sweet wines to a couple of port-style wines to a mix of brandy and gin.
Per the About tab written by Brent that appears on the website, the winery wasn’t born out of a lifetime dream but as more of a Plan B.
As the website explains: It began with an unexpected fork in the road. After decades of loyal service, my father was told not to count on retiring from his then-current job. That moment became the catalyst for change. Determined to take control of their future, my parents, Kevin and Teresa Mooney, explored different ventures before discovering a need for grape growing. In 2003, they planted their first vines—Traminette and Vidal—and officially became commercial grape growers. Merlot followed in 2006. They were still working full-time jobs, but quickly realized their efforts deserved more than selling fruit at the end of each season. So, in 2009, with no background in winemaking (and a father who barely even drinks), they took a leap and opened a small licensed winery. It was a bold move—but the right one.
Beginning as a “brew on premise” for home winemakers and selling grapes, juice, and supplies, the winery slowly grew its reputation as a producer.
Asked how the family looks back now at that “fork in the road,” Brent responded in an email: “It is definitely a double-edged sword. Farming is not the business to get into to retire early or sail off to the sunset, but it has certainly been rewarding. It has to be a labor of love. Still many many years of growing but we have a good foundation and are starting to get out there. We’ve been a winery since 2009 and still have many customers walk through the door for the first time. We feel like we are finally starting to get some momentum and hope to continue growing, though we know it will not be easy and happen on its own.”
In addition to Brent and his parents, Dylan Pyon is the other full-time employee, while a few others work part time in the tasting room and during off-site events.
“I try and take on more each year from my parents, who are first-generation farmers who started the business from scratch,” Brent said. “Dylan is my right-hand man, with everything and we do, everything from winemaking (processing to bottling) to distilling to managing the vineyard to working the tasting room and events. I definitely enjoy it, as it is very cool being a part of the process from the very beginning to selling and talking with customers. It is definitely a job on some days, but the weekends truly make it worth it.”
Harford’s vineyard include 3 acres of grapes, including the aforementioned Vidal, Traminette and Merlot.
Like many mid-Atlantic vineyards, theirs suffered some damage from the April 21 freeze. “[That] was a first for us, so will have to wait to know how much compared to previous years,” Brent said.
Some of Harford’s most popular wines are Vidal Blanc, Merlot, Blush, Peach Kissed, and Murphy’s Merit (a sweet white blend), and its Pomace brandys are also drawing more fans.
”We pride ourselves on a very laid-back casual vibe,” Brent said. “We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel at home and enjoy the rustic environment and just slow down for a few hours.”
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