Harford County Wine Festival Sold Out

BEL AIR, MD — Traffic will be heavy around Rockfield Manor in Bel Air this weekend due to the Harford County Wine Festival.

The sold-out event will feature more than 100 wines.

"We are excited to welcome visitors back again for the 15th Annual Harford County Wine Festival this Saturday at Rockfield Manor," Executive Director Kellee Kalthof said in an email to Patch.

After the wine festival was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, it is returning with a bang this year — in fact, organizers say the event sold out as of Sunday, Sept. 19.

"Tickets went on sale July 1st, and we received an overwhelming response, selling out last week!" Kalthof said. "In past years, the festival always sold out on the day of the event, so we are humbled by the response from our community and surrounding states!"

Those who would like a spot on the waitlist can email admin@harfordcountywinefest.com.

The Rockfield Foundation, which hosts the festival, sets the same capacity each year so attendees can have a "comfortable experience," said Kalthof, who declined to specify the number.

A couple of new things are happening at this year's Harford County Wine Festival:

• Harford County artist Shawn Forton will be painting a live mural.

• Liquor will be sold in addition to wine and beer. Earlier this month, the Rockfield Foundation asked for its liquor license to be amended from beer and wine to allow for the sale of beer, wine and liquor. “White Tiger Distillery will now be participating in the event,” according to Judith Powell, special projects coordinator for the Harford County Liquor Control Board, which unanimously approved the license.

Authorities remind people to plan a ride in advance if they will be drinking.

"You’ll see a lot more traffic this weekend," Bel Air Mayor Amy Chmielewski said at Monday's Town Hall meeting. "It will start getting busy around 11 a.m."

VIP ticket holders can enter the festival at 11:30 a.m.

Said Chmielewski: “Please have a ride, and do not take that responsibility on yourself.”

The Harford County Wine Festival will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Rockfield Manor, 501 Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014.

Free shuttle buses will run from the Hickory Avenue garage (6 S. Hickory Ave.) to Rockfield Manor.

Proceeds go to the Rockfield Foundation for various causes: scholarships with Harford Community College, upkeep of the Rockfield Manor estate and donations to Harford County nonprofit organizations.

See Also: Harford Wine Festival, Bel Air Festival For The Arts Canceled In 2020