Urban winery coming to downtown Frederick
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon @ fredericknewspost . com
FREDERICK — The woody smell of freshly shaved planks saturated the air. A decade later, the caustic smell of diesel stung worker's throats and noses. Those smells will be replaced by the bouquet of fermented grapes later this year.
An early 1900s building that was originally designed to make ice and has a history of industrial use, including a woodworking shop and a garage, is now being reinvented as a winery.
“A lot of people are discovering wine and more are enjoying a local wine,” owner Charlie Daneri said Tuesday.
Mr. Daneri expects to open Frederick Cellars in August at 221 N. East St., the former Crystal Plate Ice Co.
“Why do we make people come out to the winery?” Mr. Daneri asked about wineries at vineyards.
His plan will bring winemaking downtown, the first urban winery in Maryland.
Kevin Atticks, a spokesman for the Maryland Wine industry, said he's excited about the plan.
“I think it's a great concept, given the fact that wineries are primarily based on a tourist economy, to put the winery where the people are is a great idea,” he said. “Even in California, where you will find tasting rooms in urban settings, you will rarely find a production room in a downtown area.”
Mr. Daneri said Frederick Cellars will use an industrial motif for the interior to connect it to the building's past.
“The idea is to communicate an urban factory warehouse look,” he said.
The 6,700-square-foot building will be divided evenly between retail and production use. The retail side will have a tasting bar and a glassed-in viewing area of the production side, similar to Brewer's Alley. The production area will feature fermentation and storage tanks and a bottling operation.
Frederick Cellars patrons will find Bordeaux blends, Cabernet, Chardonnay and picnic wines.
“We will do tours as much a part of our marketing and tourism plan as possible,” Mr. Daneri said.
He expects to attract three types of clients: people who have never been to a winery, local residents looking for an alternative to the bar scene and people who like Maryland wines.
Frederick Cellars will also offer conference room and reception hall rentals as another way to draw clients. A cater ing kitchen completes the rental package. “We are in negotiations with area restaurants to deliver food for business meetings or receptions,” he said. Mr. Daneri said Frederick Cellars will complement other Shab Row businesses, such as restaurants and antique shops. Mr. Atticks agreed. “For every dollar spent at a winery, $7 are put back into the local economy, by people going to restaurants and staying in hotels,” he said. Mr. Daneri said day-trippers will enjoy four distinct wineries within 25 miles. “If you want to spend the day out, start in the country at Linganore and end up here,” he said.