Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard

Clyopatra Winery and Vineyard is located in Laurel, Maryland and was founded by Ifeoma C. Onyia. It is not only the first African immigrant-owned winery in Maryland but also in  the United States. Ifeoma's background is certainly impressive. She was born in Nigeria and grew up in London. She is the founder and CEO of MISO Medical Center, leads the House of Clyopatra Foundation, founded Capitol Fashion Week and has received the  United States President's Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden. The tasting room for Clyopatra Winery and Vineyard is located on C Street in Laurel and the vineyard is on Brooklyn Bridge Road. We were told they are going to start doing tours soon so stay tuned. We visited the tasting room in June 2025 and sat at very comfortable bar seats. There was only one staff working right at the 3pm open time and things were busy right off the bat. There were about 15 people visiting so she was very busy! We all had to be a  little patient as she got everyone their flights. Ian ordered 4 of their reds and I ordered 3 whites and a rose. They were all great with our favorites being the pinot grigio, oaked chardonnay and the Bordeaux-style blend. The pinot grigio had the classic pear, apple, lemon notes. The oaked chardonnay was lightly oaked and very balanced with notes of lemon, apple, melon and vanilla. The Tribe is their Bordeaux-style blend. It was spicy, with aromas of cedar, cherry and blackberry with soft tannin. We didn't get to chat and ask as many questions as we normally do because of how busy it was but we did inquire about the grapes on the way out. Some are imported from the Eastern Shore currently in addition to their vineyard but all are locally sourced. Check them out and taste for yourselves. I  believe you'll also see them at this year's Maryland Wine Festival in September.