Galloping Goose Vineyards

Galloping Goose Vineyards
4326 Maple Grove Rd
Hampstead, Maryland
USA 21074
Phone: (410) 374-6596
http://www.gallopinggoosevineyards.com/

Contact: Diane Hale
Email: [email protected]

On a warm summer morning in 1969, Ed and Diane Hale stood at the top of a one hundred acre farm in the northern hills of Carroll County, Maryland, and imagined the future that awaited them. Their dream was to own a small farm that would pay for itself, and the purchase of this land was the first step in what they knew would be a lifelong adventure.

They began with hay; forty acres worth. After that came corn, soybeans, buckwheat and sunflower seeds. A greenhouse was constructed, and the Hales suddenly found themselves in the canning business, selling everything from sweet corn to string beans. In addition to the crops, horses, pigs and hundreds of lambs were soon filling the fields. Yet their goal of financial stability remained elusive.

The family grew with the births of two sons, and the Hale's struggle to support themselves with their farm continued. Our grapes have been the main ingredient in some of the finest domestic wines available.

In 1998, after years of exploring alternate possibilities, Ed and Diane realized that fruit would be the ideal crop for their farm. The site was analyzed – soil, drainage, water, elevation and slope were all considered – and it was decided that a vineyard was more than just a viable option. Subsequently, they decided on a test planting of 500 vines comprised of four varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Seyval and Vidal. A second and third planting followed, consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and now Cabernet Franc and the hybrids Vidal, Seyval and Chambroucin.

Trellises were constructed, a business plan was formulated and all seemed to be going according to plan. Then in 2006, Ed passed away. The dream, however, carried on, and with the help of sons Jason and John, Diane persevered. To this day, the enterprise continues to be a family affair as we've expanded our vineyard to a full 52 acres of land.

Our grapes have been the main ingredient in some of the finest domestic wines available, but in 2008, it was decided that the time had come for Galloping Goose Vineyards to bottle its own wines, using only the finest, hand-picked grapes. The plan is to produce a cabernet and a fruit wine for every season, crafted in small lots of no more than 500 cases and available exclusively at the farm and select outlets.

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