How Wine in the Woods Became Columbia’s Signature Sip & Stroll

Howard County’s beloved Wine in the Woods didn’t just appear overnight. It took vision, persistence, and a lot of paperwork (and maybe a glass or two along the way).

In 1990, inspired by the Carroll County Wine Festival, then-County Councilman Paul Farragut pitched the idea for a Columbia wine festival. After working with state lawmakers to legalize the sale and tasting of Maryland wines at a public event, the path was clear. By April 1991, Howard County was officially in the wine festival business.

The next challenge? Location, location, location. Symphony Woods, just outside Merriweather Post Pavilion, checked all the boxes: space for 10,000 cars, wide open fields, and a perfect forest backdrop. The timing was set for the weekend after Mother’s Day, a tradition that continues to this day. The name Wine in the Woods practically chose itself.

The first festival in the early ’90s drew thousands. By 1997, attendance hit about 7,500 a day. By 2007, more than 20,000 wine lovers were strolling under the trees. Today, Wine in the Woods is far more than a wine tasting. It’s a full-on celebration of Maryland wineries, live music on two stages, artisan vendors, and a smorgasbord of tasty bites. Sure, Maryland’s May weather can be wild — sunny and 80° one day, cool and rainy the next — but the festival spirit never wavers. Hosted by Howard County Recreation & Parks, Wine in the Woods has become a signature event for locals and visitors alike. It’s the perfect pairing of community and culture.

So raise a glass, Columbia. Here’s to one of Howard County’s best traditions!