What’s Pouring Near Darnestown? New Spirits, Vineyard Dining, and a Few Last Calls
Around Darnestown, a countryside outing increasingly comes with a wine glass, a craft beer, or a locally made cocktail. But the latest developments tell a more interesting story than a simple boom: new destinations are finding their footing, established wineries are expanding the visitor experience, and some familiar names have disappeared.
From Song Dog’s first anniversary to Windridge’s vineyard dining and the loss of Landmade, the local craft beverage scene is changing—and giving residents plenty to talk about.
Song Dog celebrates its first year
One of the freshest additions is Song Dog Farm Distillery, on Bucklodge Road in nearby Boyds. Husband-and-wife founders Megan Draheim and David Harris purchased their Agricultural Reserve farm in 2021. Their 29-acre property now combines spirits production with a tasting room, porch, and outdoor gathering spaces. Bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and seasonal liqueurs reflect an emphasis on Maryland-grown ingredients and the agricultural character of the region. [1]
There is timely news, too: Song Dog has announced a first-anniversary celebration for its tasting room on October 10–11, 2026, alongside its first annual single-barrel release. The event includes live music, barbecue, tours, tastings, and an opportunity to bottle your own bourbon. The farm welcomes children and well-behaved dogs, making it an option for a broader countryside outing.
The curated list of unique drinks offers something for everyone, from the sweet and refreshing to more traditional cocktails like the Old Fashioned. I’ve tried almost every one of their concoctions, and there isn’t a drink on the list I would turn down.
Windridge gives visitors more reasons to stay
At Windridge Vineyards, the draw now extends beyond estate-grown wines and vineyard views. Windridge Kitchen offers chef-led seasonal menus, meals and snacks Wednesday through Sunday, and weekend brunch. Guided tastings and vineyard-and-winery tours give visitors additional ways to experience the property. [2]
Together, those offerings make Windridge a place to plan lunch, an afternoon with friends (no kids, unfortunately), or a leisurely weekend visit. This is an evolution in the visitor experience: the winery began welcoming guests in 2019. Visitors should also know that regular visits are limited to adults 21 and older, and reservations secure a table; walk-in seating depends on availability. [2]
Last call for Landmade
The closure of Landmade Brewing remains a loss for nearby Poolesville. Its farm setting on Jerusalem Road paired beer with a repurposed cattle stable, tasting room, food truck, and general store—a combination that made the property more than a place to order a pint. It was a personal favorite of mine, with delicious ales, and it will be missed.
There is a connection to the continuing local scene: former Landmade brewer Matt Furda went on to Mayan Monkey Brewing in Germantown. A Maryland Beer Journal profile describes his work there, including an imperial stout aging in Song Dog rye-whiskey barrels—a small example of how local producers’ stories intersect. [3]
Comebacks and closures around the county
Nearby Gaithersburg has supplied a welcome comeback. Saints Row Brewing, which announced a closure earlier this year, returned under new ownership after staff members joined together to purchase the business. Its September reopening preserves a familiar gathering place and gives the brewery a new chapter. [4]
The wider county has also lost a significant producer. Twin Valley Distillers closed in Rockville in January 2026. Founded in 2013, it was Montgomery County’s first post-Prohibition distillery. [5] Meanwhile, Fallen Oak Distilling in Olney, which opened on the Lone Oak brewery property in late 2024, illustrates another direction for the industry: combining farm brewing, spirits, cocktails, and a speakeasy-style experience.
Wineries close to home
Closer to Darnestown, Rocklands Farm Winery continues to offer winery experiences and events in Poolesville. The Crossvines adds another dimension: Montgomery County’s Office of Agriculture credits its winemaking facilities, opened in 2023, with helping incubate two county-based, non-farm winery businesses. These destinations support both the visitor experience and the production side of local wine.
What the numbers show
The broader numbers show why these businesses matter. The county’s April 2025 farm alcohol production report recorded approximately $16.8 million in annual gross sales in 2024, up 32% from 2022. It counted 13 producing businesses, compared with 11 two years earlier. Yet officials also reported fewer inquiries from prospective operators and highlighted construction costs and regulatory complexity as continuing barriers. Those findings describe the wider business environment; they do not explain any particular closure. [6]
For Darnestown residents, these places offer something beyond what is in the glass: opportunities to gather in the landscape that makes this area distinctive.
Song Dog gives people a new reason to explore. Windridge gives them more reasons to stay awhile. Landmade’s absence is a reminder to appreciate the places we enjoy while they are here.
Sources
Bethesda Magazine, 11 years in the making: Song Dog Distillery sets October grand opening, September 2, 2025.
Windridge Vineyards, visitor information and Windridge Kitchen.
Maryland Beer Journal & Atlas, Mayan Monkey Brewing: Flavor, Heritage, and Craft.
The MoCo Show, Saints Row Brewing Employees Purchase Brewery, Plan Reopening, May 8, 2026.
The MoCo Show, Twin Valley Distillers Closes in Rockville, January 6, 2026.
WTOP, From berry fields to cideries, agritourism is booming in Montgomery County, July 2026.