Finding a contemporary house to feature in our area is usually a challenge for me to offer readers a mix of different architectural or interior design styles from week to week. Today’s featured property is all about the coastal interiors by designer Hollace Kutay, who transformed the interiors of another contemporary house that was featured last month. Even though the two room deep, one-level house was parallel to the shoreline of the Northwest Branch of Harris Creek, the Owners wanted to take better advantage of the water views during their weekend and summer trips from their home in Pennsylvania.

This one-level contemporary was enhanced by an addition behind the garage that added a fourth bedroom and a stunning screened space that is an outdoor kitchen-dining-living space with panoramic views of the water. At the other end of the house is a long deck that connects the living room, veranda and primary ensuite. Between these outdoor rooms is a terrace at the grade level with deep blue Adirondack chairs grouped around the firepit.  There is easy flow among the outdoor rooms and the house’s sliding doors create easy indoor-outdoor flow.

 

The spacious deck varies in depth for relaxing in the warmth of the afternoon sun from these chaise lounges with an umbrella for shade, the circular cushioned chair or Adirondack chairs lined up in a row. 

From the terrace with Adirondack chairs grouping around the firepit, the view of lawn, marshes, and the water of the Northwest Branch of Harris Creek is unobstructed. Smores anyone?

Luckily, Ms. Kutay’s did not have to contend with flat ceilings throughout the house; the original sloped ceilings and tall offset walls create spatial volume for expansive views. The entry door’s blue rails introduce the color scheme’s primary color for the house and the translucent panels are juxtaposed with a wide and long full sidelight. Applying trim is a great way to create a wainscot look; here, a wainscot of light blue and the blue shade of the subtle pattern of the wallpaper adds texture below the ceiling plane of pine planks above.  The closet with five panel doors directed my eye to two door openings for further exploration. 

One of the doors leads to this room that is furnished as an office. It could easily be converted to a bedroom since the doors in the middle of the bespoke millwork open to reveal a Murphy Bed. The white walls and ceiling both accentuate the beautiful wood floors and reflect the sunlight to make this room seem larger than it is. I especially liked how the colorful collectibles in the millwork and the framed art hanging stand out against the white walls. 

At the end of the  short hall past the office/bedroom at the front corner of the house is a spacious guest  bedroom. The blue theme continues in the rug, bedframe, pillows and accessories. The box bay’s window seat does double duty with a hinged top to access storage underneath. I noticed how the texture of the headboard’s infill complements the textured window treatments.

The Primary Ensuite is located at the rear corner of the house for views of the landscape and water. The warmth of the wood from the flooring, ceiling and furnishings enhances the room and I admired how the artwork infills the space above the contemporary pencil post bedframe’s headboard. The pair of sliding doors leads to the waterside deck. 

The spacious five-piece Primary Bath has daylight from two windows and the skylight above the tub. I admired the detailing of the tile wall that flows from the tub surround to the full tiled wall of the shower. The custom plaster oyster shaped vessel sinks that float above the lavatory top were created by a ceramic artisan and Ms. Kutay crafted the two mirror frames. The multiple shades of blue from the ceiling, tiled wall, tiled floor with interlocking polygonal shapes, wallpaper and the vessel sinks create a delightful space.

 

To continue my tour, I returned to the foyer to explore the open plan living-dining-kitchen area in the center of the house. I noticed how the wide window and the skylight’s position above aligns with the center of the dining room’s wood table for views of starry nights during winter dinner parties. The eclectic look of the wood table, the mix of white captain’s chairs and the rattan chairs works well for this weekend house’s casual, yet sophisticated, look.

The rear wall of the dining room, infilled with a wide window and a pair of sliding doors, leads to the veranda, a perfect place for cocktails before dinner or post dinner nightcaps. The sideboard and lamps were crafted by Ms. Kutay and the wood sculpture is the creation of artist Larry Ringgold. 

A deep step from the Dining Room to the Veranda and a pair of floor to ceiling sliding doors to the sunken Living Room creates easy flow among the rooms and to the waterside deck. I admired the geometric design of the veranda’s floor that was perfectly scaled for the room’s size. The veranda’s exterior walls are infilled with wide sliding doors so the deep blue wall color does not make this charming space feel dark. I could easily imagine stretching out on a chaise to relax at the end of the day.

The wrap-around sliding doors open up the veranda to the deck for enjoyment of  the sights and sounds of nature. The horizontal cable railing disappears into the landscape for panoramic, unobstructed views of the lawn and water.

The focal point of the Living Room is the massive brick chimney that rises to the underside of the ceiling. I admired how the Living Room’s exterior triangular shaped wall was carefully detailed with both fixed and operable windows and a high transom at the side wall. The neutral furnishings create a serene look for relaxing by the fire. The aboriginal painting of a heron above the sofa was crafted by Ms. Kutay. 

The galley kitchen also has a triangular wall of fixed and operable windows for a great view of the landscape that makes clean-up a bearable chore. I admired how Ms. Kutay revised the former bay window by adding a wall to hide the range vent. Above the range is a full fixed glass panel for landscape views and the custom ceramic mosaic mural by Ms. Kutay above the window continues the horizontal line of the triangular window’s horizontal mullion. Since the Living Room’s floor is lower than the Kitchen and Dining Room, the 10 foot long peninsula between the kitchen and the living room has a lower countertop for chairs instead of bar stools for comfortable informal dining and the upper countertop is a natural buffet for entertaining. I especially admired Ms. Kutay’s clever arrangement of wood cutting boards and the banded texture of the pendant light fixtures. 

The Laundry Room is adjacent to the Kitchen and the play of the blues in the ceiling, lively wallpaper and the brick wall gives this room great style. From the Laundry Room, I admired the telescoping view through the series of framed openings to the Primary Bedroom wall.

Doors at the end of the Laundry lead to both the two-car garage and this “Snug” that has all the features of a well-designed snug. This cozy room with a sloped ceiling to expand the volume, windows and sliding doors to the deck, TV and an electric fireplace is a perfect Snug. Windows at the waterside corners of the room bring sunlight within and sliding doors at the other corner lead to the screened porch. I especially liked the rug’s design, the blue accent wall that highlights the artwork and the subtle banding of the TV wall.

Sliding doors off the Snug lead to the “Bonus Room”-who could resist an outdoor kitchen, dining area and seating area with wrap-around windows overlooking the landscape and water? The sloped ceiling gives this very large room the spatial volume its size requires. I especially admired the clever design of the game table for ping pong and pool that does double duty as a dining table for a crab feast. One pair of sliding doors at the interior wall leads to a guest bed-sit suite for a very lucky guest! 

This charming Guest Bedroom-Sitting Room spans the depth of this addition and has a box bay window with a seat and storage below that matches the other Guest Room on the opposite side of the house. The white walls and sloped ceiling  reflect the light and emphasizes the blues of the bedding and furnishings. The wood accents of the contemporary pencil post bed with a high headboard and the oval table at the sitting area add the warmth of wood to the space. The mini-split HVAC ensures guests can modify the room’s temperature for their own comfort.

In the Guest Bathroom, Ms. Kutay’s stylish design of oyster shell wallpaper, sleek blue tiles with vertical ridges in the shower, wood cabinetry with a diagonal design, the mirror’s oyster shell frame and the tile flooring in small polygonal shapes creates a fun bath for a lucky guest.

Once again, this talented designer created a contemporary, eclectic coastal vibe design through her selection of antiques mixed with modern furniture, custom artwork, finishes, accessories, etc. to transform the rooms with color, pattern and texture. The additions of the large screened porch, deck and terrace are wonderful waterside outdoor rooms for the Owners who are weekenders to enjoy. Brava! 

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This is a private residence, not a property  for sale. For more information about Hollace Kutay’s design services, “Homes by Hollace”,  visit www.hollacekutay.com property or email her at [email protected].  to learn how Hollace can transform your home or rental property.

Photography by  Krista Valliant LLC, www.kristavalliant.com ,410-973-7325

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

When I began my search for this week’s feature, this aerial caught my eye and I was hooked. This historic house  dates from 1890 with 11.59 acres that offer peace and privacy on Oak Creek. I could tell from the picture that the original Victorian house tucked into its surroundings of mature trees had undergone several additions and its proximity to the water that is less than currently allowed is a bonus. The property also includes a detached two-car garage and an artist’s studio.  After turning off Royal Oak Rd. onto the long gravel driveway between tall pines, I soon reached a clearing where the drive became circular around the house’s front elevation surrounded by many majestic trees.

The previous owners had added a one-story addition of a primary suite and an exquisite screened wrap-around screened porch to the two and a half story original part of the house. I appreciated how the addition is set back so the massing of the original house can be fully appreciated. I also admired the exterior color palette that complemented the trees and landscaping.  

Before I began my tour of the grounds and to view the other elevations, I paused to admire the three-bay front porch’s Victorian details of turned columns and fretwork. The gable over the front door bay has rectangular fretwork but the two other bays have angled edges. I soon learned that triangles are vital components of this unique house’s interior design. 

The rear elevation overlooks the pool area and the landscaping with a mix of plantings and potted plants.  I later learned that one of the Owners had master planned the landscaping areas so each season would offer accents of color and texture. The large pool surround and the very deep wrap-around screened porch are great options for outdoor rooms in which to relax with family and friends. The playful mix of long and wide windows, polygonal transoms and the wide bays of the screened porch open up the house to the water views. 

From the pool surround, I strolled down the brick path that changed at Oak Creek’s bank to a wood walkway which led me to the pier. On my way back, I admired the view of the house with its eclectic massing that gives the house its charm. 

Having explored the grounds, I went back to the front porch in anticipation of exploring the interiors. Both the Listing Agent and the Owner welcomed me and I was not surprised to learn the Owner was an artist as I could see glimpses of colorful walls from the foyer. I admired how beautifully the original stair balustrade had been preserved, as well as the trim, moldings and the beautiful heart pine wood floors. The antique table and rug, the vase of flowers and art set a gracious tone of welcome. Readers know vistas are very important to me and this vista from the front door through the family room’s yellow walls to the kitchen window at the rear wall was the first of many vistas I discovered in this unique house.

I have written before how much I enjoy writing about the homes of artists for they are not timid about color. The foyer’s pair of French doors opened into the living room and I loved the deep raspberry walls. Bespoke millwork infilled the wall next to the fireplace with its stylish mantel by artisan woodworker Russell Smith. He also embellished the wide wall opening to the adjacent family room with fluted pilasters, scaled to complement the room’s 10-foot height that rose to the underside of the crown molding at the ceiling. I loved how the detailing included a stained glass transom, in homage to the original transoms of 19th century houses that were opened to continue the flow of breezes from the exterior windows for natural cooling. The wide wall opening frames another vista from the living room that unfolds like a telescope through other wall openings with triangular headers in the family room and the dining room at the rear of the house.  

The beam that divides the family room into two areas is a remnant of the original wall between two rooms with a fireplace in each room. I loved how the wall’s removal fully exposed the triangular shape of the joined fireplaces that is the focal point of the spacious family room. I especially liked the texture and color of the fireplaces’ brick that is a deeper hue than the light yellow walls and makes the fireplaces and shared chimney a sculptural element. The side wall’s pair of French doors and another stained glass transom leads to the sitting room of the one-story primary ensuite.

The other vista from the family room ends at what was once an exterior wall that might have been a double window above a window seat. It is now  a recessed area with another wall opening with a triangular header leading to my fave room, the “Snug”.

As I learned from binge-watching the BBC Home & Garden Network, “Snugs” are cozy spaces in houses that beckon one to relax and be enveloped by the room’s walls. This Snug has colorful walls and flooring in a random pattern of black and gray that beckoned me to linger.  Wrap-around windows, including an angled corner window, provide panoramic views of the landscaping. I could easily imagine selecting a book from the antique bookcase and settling into the antique wood chair after dinner for a long read. The stained glass panel at the side wall allows daylight to filter into the adjacent room.

After passing through the family room, I arrived at the stunning dining room whose ceiling rises to 16 ft. The current owners removed the flat ceiling framing and opened up the room to the underside of the roof’s rafters that are painted green to emphasize the triangular motif. The two stained glass windows have a new life as colorful and transparent accents. This exquisite room has windows on three sides and its size enables it to set the scene for memorable dinner parties or family celebrations. The current Owners probably removed another side window to create a triangular topped entrance to their addition that contains an office, laundry, full bath and an exterior door for easy access to the pool area.

Another wide wall opening connects the dining room to the kitchen. The artisan woodworker crafted the cabinetry, including triangular motifs on some upper cabinet doors.  The large windows overlook the pool area and the accent of the green window sashes matches the dining room’s green rafters. At the side of this photograph is the partial underside of the original circular stair that rises from the basement to the third floor loft and was rebuilt by the artisan woodworker.

I went back to the family room to explore the primary ensuite that begins at this sitting room that spans the depth of the addition by the previous owners. I stood in the center of the room and savored the two diagonal vistas. One vista through the pair of open French doors with a stained glass transom above frames the long view through the adjacent Family Room to the Snug. The other vista through the adjacent screened porch disappears into the landscape. The Sitting Room has a private entrance at the front wall of the house. Past the Sitting Room is a short hall to the primary bedroom.

The primary bedroom also spans the depth of the primary ensuite and is separated from the sitting room by the primary bath and a large closet. Windows on two of the exterior walls and the pair of sliding doors to the screened porch connects this restful space to the sights and sounds of nature.

When I entered the fab screened porch surrounded by majestic trees, I felt I was in a tree house as I listened to the chorus of birds. When I reached the screened bay projection, a panoramic view of Oak Creek unfolded and I noticed a doe nibbling along the leave of branches overhanging the water. Of all the screened porches I have featured, none of them compare to the depth and length of this exquisite geometric space. The deep green color of the roof rafters stands out against the light gray bead board ceiling.

I reluctantly left the screened porch to circle back to the foyer to explore the second floor that contains another primary ensuite, a guest bedroom, hall bath and multi-purpose room at the rear of the house. The primary ensuite spans the depth of the house with the bedroom located at the front corner. The primary bedroom’s light blue walls, muted tones of the bed linens and the rug create a restful retreat. The Shaker style rocker and the other wood furnishings add warmth and the large windows on its two exterior walls cast sunlight into the room throughout the day. The original details of the fireplace mantel and the transoms over the door are charming reminders of this house’s history.

From the primary bedroom, I walked down a hall between closets opposite a double window unit with a seat between two other closets. There is also a walk-in closet at the other side of the primary bedroom. This spacious five piece primary bath has a dual lavatory cabinet, tub and a shower with glass block walls next to the toilet. The wrap-around windows surrounding the tub offer a bird’s-eye view of the landscape and provide sunlight all day. 

After exploring the primary ensuite, I walked back into the hall and discovered the hall had original curved walls. The guest bedroom has both part of the curved wall and the original transom above the door, with the original hardware that opened the transom for ventilation. This room has a wide double unit window overlooking the landscape and a large walk-in closet for long visits!

This multi-purpose room projects beyond the second floor’s rear wall with windows on all three exterior walls for panoramic bird’s eye views. This delightful space was first runner up to my fave room for its myriad uses-office, studio, playroom, teen-hangout, conservatory, etc. Whatever its use, the interior architecture and the circular stair create an irresistible space. 

The partial third floor is tucked under the roof’s framing that creates wonderful interior architecture. The white walls and ceiling reflect the sunlight from both the skylights and the gable dormer infilled with glass from the middle unit’s Gothic arched top between two fixed windows.  The Owner-Artist is also a musician and this studio would certainly encourage any other creative endeavor! The loft also has a guest bedroom, full bath and cedar walk-in closet. 

The “bonus room” for this property is the charming cabin tucked into the woods that the current Owners designed as an art and music studio for their dual passions of art and music. The cabin is unfinished except for electricity so it offers  myriad uses for the next owner to make it their own. 

The combinations of peace and privacy from 11.59 acres along Oak Creek; close proximity to both Easton and St. Michaels; 1890’s charm with 2000’s additions and updates created this one-of-a kind home. The lovingly maintained historic details of heart pine wood floors, 10 ft. high ceilings, original and restored original staircase, transoms of both clear and stained glass, French doors and three fireplaces evoke an earlier era of gracious living that is timeless. Outdoor rooms of the waterside deep wrap-around screened porch and the deck overlooking the pool area beckon one to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. 

Great family house with primary suites on both floors for aging in place; updated kitchen and baths with cabinetry by an artisan woodworker who also constructed the triangular doorway headers; multiple vistas through the house for delightful wayfinding; large windows for abundant sunlight; three levels of living space that offer increasingly expansive views of Oak Creek; all this and a detached cabin that offers myriad uses, a detached two-car garage and an encapsulated basement/crawl space-simply irresistible! 

For more information about this property, contact Kate Koeppen with Chesapeake Bay Real Estate Plus, LLC,  at 410-745-6702 (o), 410-829-0705 (c) or [email protected].  For more photographs and pricing visit www.cbreplus.com/,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by  TruPlace, Inc., www.truplace.com, 301-972-3201

Artisan Woodwork by Russell Smith

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Since my move to the Eastern Shore twenty years ago, I have enjoyed learning more about my adopted home’s historic architecture through day trips and research.  A customer I met through hosting wine tastings at Piazza Italian Market suggested I visit the Lands Point winery near Chestertown. He mentioned that his sister and brother-in-law are not only the proprietors of the winery but they also live in a historic house on the property that dates from 1674. 

I was further intrigued when I learned that the late Michael Bourne, Kent County’s most illustrious architectural historian, had provided architectural advice to the Owners for additions to their property. I knew then that this day trip would be quite memorable and indeed it was. This picture dates from 1977, when the house was included in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP). This is a repository for documents gathered through on-site descriptions (in this case, by Michael Bourne) and analysis of architectural elements.

Both the site and the main house are steeped in history. In 1659, the property was originally granted by Cecil Calvert, the 2nd Lord Baltimore, to Lieutenant General Josias Fendall, the 4th proprietary Governor of the Maryland Colony. Later it was the home for 150 years of six generations of one of the founding Quaker families of Kent County. Before roadways were established in the 20th century, Worton Creek was the “highway” for visitors and commerce. Guests to this house would arrive by boat and climb the hill to the entry door at the “front” (now rear) elevation. In the post-Civil War era, it was also utilized as a stop for commercial side-wheeler Steamboats. 

The three-bay, two and a half story main wing of the house was probably built between 1783-1795, with another two and a half story kitchen wing   built in the 1830’s.  This rear elevation faces west and its brick façade was laid in common bond without a water table, as is the case with all other elevations aside except the front elevation.   

As I walked around the main house, I especially admired this view that shows both the setbacks and the telescoping of the three wings. The metal roofing connects the three wings. The last one and half story wing was clad in lap siding since it was an addition for which the Owners retained Michael Bourne as a consultant to complement the original part of the house. 

Michael Bourne also consulted with the current owners for the “front” additions, one of which has a shed roof next to the other gable-roofed addition that is a delightful sunroom. 

The house is sited at the crest of the hill, no doubt to capture breezes and for the tranquil view of Worton Creek. The “higher style” detailing for only the main wing of the house’s “front” elevation of bricks laid in Flemish bond with a water table was befitting for the  elevation that guests saw when they arrived at the pier and began the walk to the entry door under the gable roofed porch. The wrap-around windows of the sunroom offer panoramic views of the landscape, centuries old trees and Worton Creek.

When I saw this exquisitely detailed small building across from the main house, I presumed it might be an original smoke house. I later learned that the structure actually dated from the mid-20th century and its former use was a garden shed. The current owners found and purchased 18th century bricks from a building in Millington, MD, that had been razed and used the bricks whenever repairs to the main house’s brick needed to be done.  Michael Bourne’s suggestions transformed the shed by cladding the concrete masonry with the reclaimed brick, accented by white brick, a new metal roof to match the main house and a mini-chimney.  The building is now the home of the owners’ beloved Maremma dog, Minnie, who is a treasured member of the Owners’ family.

This picturesque rural scene illustrates that Lands Point is a working farm in addition to a winery. The old and large silo is used for storage of spare wood and fence posts now. Next to the silo, a two-story metal barn houses a workshop for repairing farm equipment. The red masonry barn houses the vineyard tractor, cutter and sprayer storage. Behind the red barn is another metal barn which houses the winery and equipment for processing the grapes into wine.

The current Owners have spent the majority of their lives on the Eastern Shore. In 2008, they planted grapes as a hobby but as interest in their venture grew, they converted the property’s waterside guest house into a Tasting Room that opened to the public in 2022.

To me, the best vineyards are family-owned artisan winemakers who control the process from planting grapes to bottling, which the Lands Point Owner/Winemaker does. As a farmer first, he knows good wine starts and ends with good grapes that become their red and white wines. The grapes thrive in their microclimate of the southeast facing sloped vineyard; sandy loam, well-drained soil and cool late Northern Eastern Shore summer evenings with natural morning and evening air convection currents.  This special terroir results in a taste profile visitors will enjoy; alas, this visit was a reconnaissance trip for me so I look forward to bringing friends in the near future for a tasting!

Guests who book tastings continue driving along the entry drive to the property’s Guest House that contains the Tasting Room.  I had parked my car by the main house so I enjoyed my leisurely stroll down the shady road on a sunny day and soon vistas of Worton Creek peeked through the majestic trees. As I drew nearer to the Guest House/ Tasting Room, the red door of a small shed caught my eye. 

I took a quick detour from the driveway to discover this exquisite building that contains the pool equipment and I noted how it is perfectly sited on axis with the centerline of the pool.  The white siding, wood shake roofing with a dovecote cupola, arched topped wood doors with a diagonal pattern, wrought iron hardware and its perfect scale and proportion enables this small building to make a big statement.  I presumed Michael Bourne was also its designer but the Owners actually bought this prefab garden shed from a company in South Carolina! 

I traced my steps back to the gravel drive that ends curvaceously at the spacious parking lot at the front of the Guest House/Tasting Room. Low brick borders separate the parking area from the brick sidewalk to the pool area for a change in texture. Given the site’s topography, only the roofs of the farm buildings in the far distance are visible from the parking area. 

The waterfront guest house has a new life as the “Big White Dog Tasting Room”, named after the Owners’ 120 lb. live-stock guardian dog, Minnie.  This location far from the main house provides ample indoor and outdoor seating areas with spectacular views of Worton Creek and the surrounding waterfront. Wine tastings are held both indoors in the Big White Dog Tasting Room or, when weather permits, at various scenic venues along the waterfront. 

The original guest house dating from the early 1940’s was demolished down to the foundation. Then the Owners retained Michael Bourne to design a new 18th century period Guest House that was built in 2007. When the Owners decided to welcome guests to the winery, they converted part of the Guest House into a Tasting Room, that guests can enter from either the front entrance overlooking the parking lot or from this side entrance that opens directly into the Big White Dog Tasting Room. Since there is no second floor, the side elevation was beautifully detailed with French doors, full sidelights, transoms and a half circle below the exposed ceiling framing The wide brick terrace is between the edge of the pool area and the landscaping around the pool equipment shed.

The interior of the Big White Dog Tasting Room has an airy feel since the spatial volume rises to the underside of the roof rafters. The white ceiling and the dormer windows on opposite walls bring more sunlight into the space and highlight the bright blue walls. The earth tones of the dark wood floors, large area rug and large dark leather chairs around the circular tables by the fireplace adds a cozy pub feel. The sofa and chairs at the front wall offers another seating option for privacy. I admired how the brick hearth in the herringbone pattern ends at a window seat for a seamless look.  The side wall is a mirror image of the wall by the pool area but these doors lead to an intimate screened porch for more seating during tastings. Additional doors next to the fireplace lead to a spacious brick terrace.

I admired how the Guest House/Big White Dog Tasting Room’s rear elevation is almost fully transparent from the rhythm of the long windows and transoms, the screened porch and the telescoping of the building’s massing.

French doors at the Big White Dog Tasting Room lead to this charming brick terrace with expansive views of Worton Creek and the parade of boats to the nearby wharf at Handy Point Marina. The bright red umbrellas provide shade for visitors to enjoy a glass of wine and samples from the tasting menu over lunch.

After pausing to admire the view from the brick terrace, I walked along the high bank of the river that is lined with tall trees overlooking Worton Creek. Behind the firepit are chairs for relaxing in the shade with a glass of the winery’s wine as one savors the tranquil view of the water.

Near the firepit is a picnic table/designated smoking area. I am not a smoker but this spot would be perfect for ordering food from the tasting menu for a  picnic lunch and a glass of wine. 

My leisurely stroll crossed this narrow asphalt path to the water and it seemed too narrow for vehicles. The Owner later explained that the early owners were tobacco farmers who would pack up large wooden barrels full of their harvested and dried tobacco leaves which they rolled downhill  to the waiting ships. The barrels would then be hauled on board for their journey down Worton Creek to the Chesapeake Bay and ports beyond.

As I continued my walk along the shoreline, I passed between two majestic Sycamore trees that framed the vista down to the pier. Lands Point Winery is one of the few wineries on the Eastern Shore that is accessible by boat. Present-day boaters can arrive for tastings in the same way as the 18th-century visitors arrived long ago.

 

I retraced my steps back to my car and drove past Minnie in her fenced outdoor kennel. This picture shows Minnie in a rare moment of repose, due to her farm duties of protecting the  property and the chicken flock!  

I ended my tour of Lands Point Winery by resolving to return with friends very soon for a day trip and tasting. Lands Point Winery’s specialization is traditional dry wines from six grape varieties, equally divided between red grapes (Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Petit Verdot), along with the white grapes (Chardonel, Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal Blanc).To accompany the wines, their tasting menu offers charcuterie boards, a variety of cheeses, fruit and cheese plates, selections of tinned fish or seafood and specialty chocolate collection from around the world. 

Group tastings are available by appointment. After your tasting, you can shop for Lands Point Winery branded accessories and apparel in the Tasting Room’s Winery Shop. If you are a historic architecture buff, appreciate wine or just want an afternoon savoring the tranquil waterfront views and parade of boats, Lands Point Winery and Vineyard beckons you for a memorable visit! 

 

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Lands Point Winery and Vineyard is located at 22620 Handy Point Rd. Chestertown, MD, 21620 and is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, on  Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7:00 pm.  Make a reservation via email: [email protected] or visit www.landspointwinery.com. 

Before your visit, please read the Winery’s Policies (including no pets, outside alcohol or food). Due to the Winery being a historic property with sloping topography, ADA accessibility is not possible. Please be mindful that the main house is a private residence and admire its beauty from the driveway. 

Photography by Jenn Martella

Historic photograph courtesy of the MHIP

Photographs of the Tasting Room Interior, Tasting Room and Minnie the Dog are courtesy of Lands Point Winery 

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.