Board of Public Works approves grants to promote Maryland wine

Governor Larry Hogan announced today that he, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp approved $85,000 in grants to support the Maryland wine industry.

Funds will help the Maryland Grape Growers Association and the Maryland Wineries Association with efforts in research, advertising, festival promotion and activities to promote grape growing throughout the state.

Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder says Maryland's growing wine industry is important to the Maryland economy.

"Through the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund we are helping to support our rapidly growing wine industry, growing our rural economies and creating a sustainable and profitable agriculture industry," Sec. Bartenfelder said.

These new grants are the first Maryland wine grants awarded in eight years; the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund gave out $250,000 to promote the industry between 2006 and 2008.

Since 2015, tax revenue collected on wine with Maryland-grown grapes is distributed to the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund. The state Department of Agriculture estimates the fund to receive nearly $160,000 per year.