California’s revolutionary vintners are willing to embrace the state’s vast and varied climate by avoiding popular grapes and bottling the obscure. They’re worth celebrating.

Those of us who obsess over what we drink aren’t just looking for something tasty; we’re looking for an experience. Whether a bottle costs $15 or $150, we’re hoping for something great. And a great wine makes you think.

Maryland’s wine industry still faces a number of challenges. For such a small state, Maryland has a wide range of climates and a number of different soil types, so viticulturalists are still figuring out which grapes work best, where. But without question, the future is bright for Maryland wine.