We’re spending 2023 highlighting local businesses our readers voted the best. This month we’re highlighting Cascia Vineyards, who you voted best local business owner and best winery. We got the chance to talk to owner Mark Cascia to learn about his wine-making process, their tasting room and more!

How did you get into wine-making?

I worked on farms in high school and college. I was assigned to France for aerospace collaboration where I was introduced to wine. Upon my return to the US, I started to learn how to make wine with purchased grapes. I purchased our current property on Kent Island in 1998 on Kent Island with my wife, Kimberly. We started planting grapes and using our own grapes to make wine. We became licensed as a winery in 2005 and opened our tasting room in 2012.

Do you have a personal favorite among your selection?

Yes, of what I currently have available, the Nebbiolo ’17. This changes yearly though as one wine is sold and new ones are created. 

What steps go into making wine?

The process is quite involved. I try to harvest the grapes I grow at peak ripeness, which requires not only phenological ripeness (sugar, acid, pH), but taste, color, tannins, and balance. Then process them immediately and make decisions on yeasts, amendments, and type of wine style based on what the grapes tell me at crush. After fermentation is complete, the wines are pressed off the skins (if red), or racked off gross sediments and put in sealed containers to prevent oxidation and for aging. When wines are perceived to be ready (could be six months to several years), they are racked, filtered, and bottled.
Why do you think our readers voted your winery the best?

Everything is grown, produced and hand processed on our property. We strive to provide a unique experience with personal guided wine tastings in a beautiful waterfront setting.

I know you all have a tasting room… when is it open? Is it by reservation only?

We are open from the end of April through November every Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 and year-round for private events. Reservations are not required. We have indoor and outdoor seating on a spacious deck and grass areas.

Do you have any upcoming events you want to highlight?

We have several events this summer including Phill Dutton and the Alligators on June 15th, Chris Sacks band on June 29th, and  Rosewood on August 24th. We’ll also have yoga with Yoga with Allie (YogiAllie) on June 11th, July 9th, August 20th, September 10th and October 15th from 11am to noon. And on June 24 from 6-9pm, we have the Solstice Stomp 5K that benefits the Kinera Foundation’s Eastern Shore Regional Hub.

If you want to learn more about Cascia Vineyards you can go to their website at: https://mcascia.wixsite.com/cascia-vineyards. There you can see a full list of wines they offer, an event calendar and more!