Maryland producers eager to share their wines, stories in an inaugural ’Without Walls’ event

Narcisso Wine Cellar is a boutique winery producing handcrafted wines made from 100% Maryland-grown fruit. Co-owner Cyndi Campbell and her sister, Dalia Chambers, founded the winery in 2019, and released their inaugural 2022 vintage in June 2023. They, like a number of start-ups spread around the country, do not have a tasting room. Campbell said they have built their winery through partnerships with local businesses, wine festivals, private tastings, and wine education experiences. “Social media and, most importantly, word-of-mouth have helped us grow, but it is really the relationships we have built within the community that have made the biggest difference,” she wrote in an email. “Every event is an opportunity to share not only our wines, but also our story.” They, and several other wine and cider producers around Maryland also building a brand without a tasting room, will get together on Sunday, July 12, at Celebrations At The Barnhouse in Upper Marlboro, for an event called Wineries Without Walls. Featuring a handful of producers, including cideries and meaderies, it’s scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the venue, located at 8067 Croom Road. The event, which included a ticket level for a guided food and wine pairing experience and expanded pairing sessions, is sold out. Bottles are available for purchase on-site, and each guest will receive a complimentary wine bag to take their favorites home. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA) and Narcisso Wine Cellars are the co-hosts for this event, which is similar to what some Finger Lakes microproducers have created. Explained Campbell when asked about how this Maryland event was conceived and what its goals are: “The idea for Wineries Without Walls (WWoW) came from a simple observation: Maryland is home to several outstanding wineries producing award-winning wines, yet many of us do not have traditional tasting rooms. While we are proud to be part of Maryland’s thriving wine industry, wineries without a physical location often have fewer opportunities to connect directly with consumers. “As one of those wineries, Narcisso Wine Cellar saw an opportunity to create something that would bring us together. We wanted to introduce consumers to these wineries while intentionally partnering with local restaurants and other small businesses that help strengthen our communities. Our vision was to create an experience that celebrates not only Maryland wine, but the people and partnerships that make our local food and beverage scene so special. “The inaugural Wineries Without Walls Experience will bring together nine wineries, meaderies, and cideries from across Maryland for an immersive tasting event. Guests can sample more than 25 wines, meet the makers behind each bottle, learn about Maryland viticulture, and enjoy thoughtfully curated food pairings. Taking part in this inaugural event are: Bobesa Wines Kingfisher Cellars Misfit Winery Narcisso Wine Cellar Operation Bubbles Rose Garden Wines Seven22 Wine Company The Crossvines Tipsy Teacher “We have been incredibly touched by the support from our community. The event sold out, which tells us that people are craving authentic, local experiences. We are not just pouring wine; we are creating opportunities.” Campbell and Chambers hail from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and grew up in Washington, DC. Per the winery bio on the website, “winemaking started as Dalia’s hobby — an opportunity for family and friends to gather and reconnect on the weekends. Her hobby grew into a passion that resulted in their commitment to produce high-quality wines with vibrant flavors,” including a couple of sparklings, several rosés, dry red and white varietals, and a sweet Vidal Blanc called Fiesta for consumers at that end of the sugar spectrum. Said Campbell, '“Narcisso Wine Cellar produces handcrafted Maryland wine that reflects our vision and our family’s tradition. Everything we do traces back to the love shown by our father, Wayne Narcisso, and our memories of him making wine during the holidays. Today we are honored to continue that legacy.” ALSO READ For this Finger Lakes winemaker, the experimentation never gets old N.C. wine family evolving with the present while striving to establish a successful future Retired couple turned basement full of wine into one of Pa.’s only Black-owned wineries