By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

Even before Ben and Sarah Cody began planting the first vines of what would eventually become the 11-acre 1723 Vineyards in 2015, the idea of opening a tasting room on the grounds of the historic McMaster Farm in Landenberg was already in their dream pipeline.

It merely had to wait its turn.

“We planted the grapes first because we're very passionate about growing everything we sell,” Ben said from the winery's new 600-square-foot tasting room, which had its official opening in early August. “For Sarah and me, it was important that every bottle we sell will allow us to show every customer exactly where that bottle of wine came from.”

The tasting room, Ben said, was part of a three-phase strategy.

“I feel like it's like a football team – a third offense, a third defense, and a third special teams,” he said. “To be a really good football team, you have to excel at all three phases. In winery terms, it's a third growing quality fruit, a third developing skills in winemaking, and a third opening up a comfortable tasting room.”

The room, which includes a tasting bar, tables and chairs, and French doors that open to stunning views of the vines, also offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the winery's star attractions – 1723 Vineyards Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin Reserve, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Petit Verdot, Reisling, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal Blanc. Adjacent to the tasting room, a new 2,000-square-foot production room allows winemaker Gabriel Rubilar to develop wines on location, from grapes grown on the eight-acre McMaster Farm and the three-acre historic Ford Farm in nearby Kemblesville.

“There is a wine here for everybody,” Ben said.

The tasting room will also host a fall lineup that will include food trucks and local musicians; private events; happy hour Fridays; a harvest festival, scheduled for the first weekend in November; and an upcoming farm-to-table event, in partnership with their next-door neighbors, Katt and Mathy, known for their food truck, The Road Rancher.

The tasting room, designed and constructed by Cedar Knoll Builders, was created, in part, as a welcoming door for visitors to know more about the wine they are sampling and purchasing, Sarah said. “We wanted to give people a one-on-one experience, to be welcomed by someone who can speak with them about our wines, talk about the farm and the history of our property, and provide information about exactly where our wines are grown on our farm,” she said. “Our tasting room is also part of a connection with people, in order to know who they are and the names of their children, and to enhance that connection in a place that is warm, comfortable, and has great views.”

The 1723 Vineyards tasting room is open Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Visit www.1723vineyards.com. 1723 Vineyards is at 5 McMaster Blvd., Landenberg. Call 888-330-0526.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].