The Vineyard at Dodon South Slope Red Blend 2021

Alcohol: 12.8%

Grape(s): 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot

Location: Maryland, USA

Tasting Notes: Warm, expressive profile of ripe red and black fruits—dark cherry, plum, and blackberry—layered with dried herbs, cedar, and earth. Supple texture with fine, integrated tannins, subtle oak spice and cocoa, bright acidity, and a long, balanced finish with a gentle mineral thread.

Notes: Hand‑harvested, destemmed and sorted; fermented in stainless steel with pump‑overs, 30‑day maceration; aged 21 months in French oak.

Food pairing: Fresh goat cheese or soft‑ripened cheeses; oysters, crab, shrimp; light fish with citrus/herbs; green vegetable dishes (asparagus, peas, salads); herb‑driven chicken or pasta.

Winery Story: The Dodon Land Trust preserves the farm and restricts development through trustee oversight and an agricultural easement. The property has deep historical roots—from indigenous Piscataway presence to early European settlers like Dr. Francis Stockett and later owners such as the Steuart family—and has evolved through tobacco farming, varied ownership, and preservation efforts. Today Dodon (555 acres) maintains mixed farmland and vines, emphasizing stewardship, historic legacy, and continued agricultural use under family and trust stewardship.