It is with deep regret that we must announce the cancellation of all public events at Running Hare Vineyard, effective today, 11/13/2020, through at least 12/7/2020. These cancellations are the direct result of the Calvert County Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board’s (“APAB”) decision of 11/2/2020 to cancel all public events at Running Hare Vineyard until its next meeting on 12/7/2020.

***Our tasting room and private events will continue as scheduled***

As many of you are aware, Running Hare Vineyard suffered a catastrophic fire in September of 2019 which destroyed our wine making facility. Due to the loss of that facility, the APAB has made the decision that we can no longer be categorized as a Farm Winery since we are not currently making wine and as such, are no longer permitted to hold public events at Running Hare Vineyard.

This decision could not come at a worse time for Running Hare Vineyard, our employees, and the residents of Calvert County and Southern Maryland. In the span of little over a year, we have experienced a devastating fire, an extended off-season due to COVID-19 closures, and shortened outdoor season with COVID-19 restrictions in place. As one can well imagine, this confluence of circumstances has had a negative impact on Running Hare Vineyard’s business. The hosting of these public events, in addition to providing fun, safe, and socially-distant outdoor activities for the people of Calvert County, have been paramount in helping us progress towards a point at which we would be in a position to rebuild our manufacturing facility and return to making the wine we love. Unfortunately, the APAB’s decision has put a hold on all of this.

Over the past few months, we have retained respected engineering and architectural firms to help us in rebuilding our production facilities and rectify whatever zoning issues we may have.

We have been working extensively with the APAB, the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning, and other County staff in hopes of finding a reasonable solution which would allow us to continue holding public events while rebuilding our production facility, but as it stands now, that solution has not been reached. Despite this setback, we will continue to work with the county in hopes of finding common ground.

It is our opinion that the events that we have held, and plan to hold going forward are a prime example of what Calvert County and Southern Maryland should strive for in promoting agritourism while also maintaining the agrarian feel of our region.

Please sign this petition to show your support for Running Hare Vineyard being able to host public events for the great members of this community.