The Western Mountains
This region is made up mostly of the mountain valleys west of Frederick and east of Cumberland. The soils tend to be very well drained and rocky, with moderate slopes. Soil depth is often limited by bedrock. Climate is both moderated by, and enhanced by altitude. The growing season tends to be long, with late season varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon harvested at the end of October (if an early frost does not defoliate the vines). In better vintages, this length of time on the vines can allow fruit to develop great depth of color, aroma and flavor without overripe characteristics.

The Piedmont Plateau
This region is made up of the valleys east of Frederick, south to the Potomac River and east to the Chesapeake Bay. The soils of the Piedmont show great variety, from highly channery soils to sedimentary soils near rivers and wetlands. The dominant soils are well drained to very well drained channery soils, varying from slight to moderate clay content. Climate is generally warmer and more humid in the summer than the mountain region. Harvest for Cabernet Sauvignon is usually late September into mid October. If fruit remains sound through the usual mid-September rain period, the opportunity exists for ripe fruit with great balance.

The Southern Plain
This region is characterized by low, rolling hills with slightly sandy soils, located south of the Washington-Annapolis corridor, and bounded by the Potomac River on the west and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Summers are hot, and fruit here tends to ripen in mid-September. (Unfortunately, there are too few vineyards in this region for winemakers to take advantage of the different growing conditions found here).

The Eastern Shore
This region is the warmest and driest of the four, and exhibits the shortest growing season, with Cabernet Sauvignon harvested in early September in warm vintages like 1995. The hot, dry climate, along with shallow, sandy soils can produce clean, well-ripened fruit, with broad earthy aromas and flavors underlying the cherry-like fruitiness. (Because winter temperatures rarely go below -5F, this may be the region in which cold-sensitive varieties like Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot might succeed).