About "Welcome to Maryland Wine Country" Magazine
Why Maryland wines? Larry Elletson introduced me to Tasters Guild Maryland (TGMD), and I fell in love with wine. I have been a member of TGMD since 2006, and I have been responsible for their social media and Web site development since 2007.
The Maryland wine industry has really grown in the last 10 years, and has really come into its own during the last five years. According to the Maryland Wineries Association, Maryland has 51 operating wineries/vineyards, 61 licensed wineries, and 15 that are undergoing the licensing process. Maryland is pushing her vines forward in the wine world, and I want to tell the world about that!
First I would like to thank a few people, without whom "Welcome to Maryland Wine Country" would not be possible.
Dottie Wayne, Larry Elletson's wife: thank you for your continued patience with the meetings and phone calls. Many wives would not be so understanding. Huge Thank You!!
Muphen Whitney has been, from the very start, interested, encouraging, and so very supportive. She edits all the pieces posted, writes, interviews, and helps me stay organized with the many facets of publishing an emagazine. Big Thank You!!
Holly Hosler, one of the writers for "Welcome to Maryland Wine Country". Holly will be writing when she is not being a Mom. Big Thank You!!
Susanne Kuehne, writer of the Pinot Not beer column. There are many microbreweries in Maryland, and I wanted to include them as a side note because many wine drinkers love a good beer once in a while. Big Thank You, Susanne, for adding a bit of a different brew to a wine emagazine!
Larry Elletson, who is the most loved "Larry the Wine Guy", is much appreciated. Larry was the first person I went to way back when I came up with this idea of a wine magazine. I called and said "I have this idea….", and that was the beginning. Big Thank You for your understanding, patience, ideas, and for keeping me focused.
Last but not least, thanks to the wineries and vineyards and other aspects of the Maryland wine industry that this emagazine is all about. And thanks to the various other people and organizations such as Kevin Atticks and Maryland Wineries Association (MWA). A big THANK YOU to everyone who has given me support, advice, and ideas – and thanks even to the naysayers... they have kept me on my toes!!
This is how it all began...
When I saw a Groupon for "Virginia Wine Lovers Magazine", I took a look at the magazine and said to myself "I can do this for Maryland wines." The feeling that hit me was overwhelming; it gave me goosebumps. I knew then that this is what I should do.
I contacted Larry Elletson, we talked about what I needed to do, and I started my research on whether there was a wine magazine for Maryland wines – either in print or online. I learned that there wasn’t an official Maryland wine magazine: there are a few blogs and a very good newsletter from MWA. I contacted Muphen Whitney, and she and I started planning. I also did some marketing research and did a survey of potential readers. It is two years later, and "Welcome to Maryland Wine Country" is now here.
"Welcome to Maryland Wine Country" is for anyone who enjoys Maryland wine, good food, and good company. This is your emagazine, read it, share it – it will be growing and evolving so please let us know what you think.
Cheers!
Susan Southard
Publisher
Que Syrah Syrah Publishing