September Featured Wines – 2022 AdegaMae Dory Lisboa Branco, 2020 Confidencial Reserva Vinho Tinto,Portugal

September 1, 2025 · by ·

This month we are staying with European wines that we know are already in our distributors’ warehouses and not just coming ashore subject to the new tariffs. Our September wines are from the Lisboa region of Portugal. The Lisboa wine region is located in central-western Portugal, surrounding the capital city of Lisbon and stretching along the Atlantic coast north of the city. It was formerly known as the Estremadura region before being renamed in 2009 to capitalize on the internationally recognized name of Portugal’s capital. Wines grown in this region are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Over 30 varietals are grown in the region. By production volume, Lisboa is the largest wine producing region in Portugal.

These are not the first wines we have featured from Portugal so if you have been with us awhile you know almost all Portugese wines are blends of grapes, some unique to the country. The white selection is 2022 AdegaMae Dory Vinho Branco produced by Dioga Lopes and Anselmo Mendes. This is a blend of Viosinho, Arinto, Alvarinho and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.The wine shows good balance and a fresh edge along with a bright lemon aftertaste. The red selection is 2020 Confidencial Reserva Tinto produced by Casa Santos Lima. This is a blend of Tinto Cao and Carmaralet. Ron Pilling’s notes on this wine provide interesting backgound information on both varietals. Ranked #1 by Wine Spectator for “Wineries for Value” from Portugal, the Confidencial Reserva is also a great buy. This is considered a wine to keep but i find it delicious now!

2022 AdegaMae Dory Lisboa Branco, Portugal $13

Boasting a generous aromatic intensity, this wine shows its youth in a fine concentration of citric notes, asparagus, and tropical aromas; medium-bodied with refreshing acidity and delicate creaminess; smooth, it delivers good fruit and a dash of salinity on the finish, This is a great wine with seafood. Alcohol:12.5%

2020 Confidencial Reserva Vinho Tinto, Portugal $15

This wine shows great complex aromas of red fruits and some vanilla. Medium body in the mouth, well balanced, with sensations of red fruits, combined with the elegancy of wood notes and fine tannins In the aftertaste, it is smooth, with some acidity and complexity, overcoming ripe fruit, chocolate and some dry fruits..This is a good pairing for Mexican food. Alcohol: 13.5%

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Featured Artist for July – Ann Schaefer

July 12, 2025 · by ·

In July we are continuing with a plein air exhibit of Eastern Shore landscapes and landmarks. We have a tradition of bringing Paint Snow Hill “alumni” back to the gallery with great enthusiasm for how their plein air “eye” and technique have developed. True to plein air painters, our featured artist for July, Ann Schaefer, paints to catch the light and atmosphere of time and place. While she paints a few interiors, Ann’s time outdoors in Maryland, in the area surrounding Washington, DC, Frederick County and the Eastern Shore, is what feeds her inspiration. While Ann does not need a structured event to paint, she does participate in organized “paint outs” throughout the region. She was recently a guest artist for the Lower Shore Land Trust Pollinator Tour.

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Featured Wines for July – 2023 J.P. Chenet Sauvignon Blanc & 2022 Josephine Dubois Pinot Noir, France

July 12, 2025 · by ·

This month we are featuring wines that are part of Les Grands Chais de France, a partnership of wine-growers in France with over 7400 acres of vineyards and a man named Joseph Helfrich who is connected to both “brands.” The white is 2023 J.P. Chenet Sauvignon Blanc. It is considered a Vin de France. This designation allows winemakers more flexibility in terms of grape varieties and winemaking techniques, as it doesn’t require specific regional appellations.Vin de France wines are not bound by the strict rules of specific French wine regions (like Bordeaux or Burgundy). J.P. Chenet has become the most appreciated brand of French wine in the world since their wines meet consumer needs in different markets. All of the wines except our wine are bottled in a unqiue bottle with a tilted neck. Our red selection is 2022 Josephine Dubois Pinot Noir. This wine is branded as Vin de Bourgogne since it is produced in the Burgundy Appellation. It is considered a Grand Reserve which means it has undergone a long period of aging. Pinot Noir wines from California, Oregon and Washington State have gained great recognition but the varietal is primarly associated with Burgundy.

2023 J.P. Chenet Sauvignon Blanc, France $15

This Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and zesty, full of freshness and aromas. Th color is golden with green highlights. Aromas are citrus fruit, lemon and grapefruit. This is a highly aromatic & light wine. It is the perfect compliment for fish or any seafood. Alcohol: 10.5%

2022 Josephine Dubois Pinot Noir, France $18

This is a crowd pleasing Pinot Noir. It is bright ruby in color and a nose rich with aromas of red fruits such as raspberry, red currants and wild strawberry. On the palate, it is juicy and round with nice fruit, light tannins, and great elegance.Alcohol: 13%

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June Featured Artist – Larry Horowitz

May 31, 2025 · by ·

Since Paint Snow Hill days I have remained fascinated by the diverse talents of artists who paint “en plein air.” The history of plein air painting is based on the desire for French artists in the mid-800s to capture changing light and weather by painting landscapes outside their studios. They wanted to catch nature’s elements in real time. Through the course of the past 200 years outdoor painting has remained popular with some artists only painting plein while others use plein air paintings as studies for studio paintings. Today choices artists use in plein air painting are more diverse by medium, approach to composition and chosen techniques. The plein air movement continues to evolve as artists find subjects to paint wherever they are.

I offer this brief background to introduce our June artist, Larry Horowitz, and how we became acquainted. Last spring, Larry and his wife, Tami, paid a visit to the gallery while they were renting a house in Rumbley, Somerset County. Rumbley is not a place you think someone from New York would find but Larry is a “traveling” artist who during the first four months of the year takes time to explore the East Coast region from the Carolinas to Virginia and Maryland. The time of year and changing seasons feed his artist’s appetite for subject matter to paint plein air. It goes without saying – Larry finds wonderful landscapes and local imagery to paint – in the traditon of plein air painting. This was his second year in Rumbley.

To those who know me, it should be no surprise that I asked Larry if he would show his work at Bishop’s Stock. It is our good fortune he agreed to a show in June. His paintings are full of color, energy and local references to the Eastern Shore. Check Larry’s website to see his accomplishments. Unfortunately, he will be traveling and unable to be at the opening on Friday, June 6 from 5 until 8 but the paintings will tell his story and how the Eastern Shore inspires him.

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June Featured Wines – Mary Taylor Christophe Avi Rose Agenais & Domaine d’Ansignan Les Grenadines, France

May 31, 2025 · by ·

If you follow the meteorological seasonal calendar, summer starts Sunday, June 1. Many restaurants switch house wines to lighter ones once summer arrives. Our June wines will reflect that same change. This is when I slip in a rose and also a red that is served slightly chilled. No surprise these wines are French but from different regions. Both wines are grown using biodynamic agriculture based on organic farming.

The rose, Mary Taylor’s 2024 Christophe Avi Rose Agenais, is from southwest France. Agenais is a small area in a region that overlaps with several other small regions. We have featured Mary Taylor’s Buzet which is produced in one of these regions by that name. This cluster of small regions is about 80 miles from Bordeaux. It is said Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grow wild in the Agenais region. The thought is in the 17th century these two varietals crossed to create Cabernet Sauvignon. This rose is a blend of Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) which make it a crisp and dry wine.

The red selection, 2023 Domaine d’Ansignan Les Grenadines, is from Côtes Catalanes, an IGP wine region in the southeast in Languedoc-Roussillon. Part of Cotes Catalanes is in the Pyrenees. This wine is a blend of Syrah (12%), Grenache (43%), Carignan (12%), Macabeo(9%) and Lledoner Pelut (24% known as “Hairy Grenache.”) The estate on which these grapes are grown is high in the Pyrenees, on the edge of the historic region, Occitania. Domaine d’Ansignan is a partnership between winemakers, Sebastien Calduch and Jeff Carrel whose mission is to preserve the art and tradition of winemaking in harmony with nature.

2024 Mary Taylor Christophe Avi Rose Agenais, France $12

This rose is a fresh blend of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. The nose suggests red currants, fresh cherry, tangy watermelon, orange blossom and lime leaf. It feels generous in the middle and finishes with dusty minerality and a nice sense of grip. It’s refreshingly dry and has a nice weight to stand up to robust foods. Alcohol: 12.9%

2023 Domaine d’Ansignan Les Grenadines, France $18

This is a red blend of 5 varietals. It is cherry in color. On the nose it brings red currant, pomegranate juice, and strawberry aromas.It has a fresh and bright palate. Serve with a slight chill. Excellent with white meats such as pork and poultry. Perfect for drinking outside in warm weather.
Alcohol: 13%

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May Featured Artists – Lynne Lockhart & Kirk McBride

April 3, 2025 · by ·

April means showing New Work by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride. This is year 18 for this tradition. All year we watch what comes out of their studios but this gives us a time to put many of those paintings on our gallery walls. The past year has given Lynne and Kirk great scenery and even weather to paint. Lynne continues to find unsuspecting animals to capture while Kirk still finds beautiful sunrises and sunsets to show the beauty of our marshes and beaches. Take them away from the Eastern Shore and they come home with new studies or photographs as references for studio paintings. Check thier websites – Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride – to see their recent work. Check our Facebook page for albums of all of the paintings in the show.

Lynne Lockhart

Kirk McBride

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May Featured Wines – Castellani Vermentino & Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy

May 7, 2024 · by ·

We are back to Italian wines in May. The Castellani Family has a history of winemaking for over 150 years. They continue to perfect the varietals that flourish in Tuscany. The Castellani Vermentino vineyards are close to the Mediterrean Coast where the grape is perfectly acclimated to the sea breezes and sunlight. 2022 Castellani Vermentino is our selection. There are few white grapes that do well in this part of Tuscany. The red is 2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva from the Chianti region of inland Tuscany. To be considered a Chianti, wines produced in this region have to meet certain conditions which are mandated by law. All Chiantis must have at least 70% Sangiovese. To be a Chianti Classico the wine must have 80% Sangiovese. Reserva means it has been aged for 24 months.

2022 Castellani Vermentino, Tuscany, Italy $16

In color this wine is straw yellow with light golden hues. The bouquet is complex with floral notes, white flowers, with stone and Mediterranean spices, sage, rosemary and mint. It is a full bodied and well-balanced wine. An easy white to pair with seafood and poultry. Alcohol: 12.5%

2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy $16

This is a clear, medium ruby wine. There are notes of tart red cherry, raspberry, and red currant along with savory dried thyme, and earth. There are also notes of baking spices, and perhaps some cedar.This is a good wine with medium complexity of aromas and flavors.Of course, perfect of Italian food. Alcohol: 13%

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Featured Wines for November – EA Branco & EA Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal

October 31, 2023 · by ·

This month we return to one of my favorite wine countries, Portugal, specifically the Alentejo wine region. This region is located in Portugal’s south central and eastern part of the country, bordering Spain, and covering more than 30% of the country. The area was initially known for cork production before the European Union in the 1980’s provided funding to Alentejo wine cooperatives to produce high-quality wines. This financial boost has now created the largest wine producing region in Portugal. There are 8 subregions. This month’s wines are from Evora, a lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been shaped by 20 centuries of history of occupation by the Celts, Romans and Moors. Having withstood a 1755 eathquake that destroyed many towns in Portugal, today Alentejo is an architectural gem with many architectural elements of those who controlled the region through a long history – particularly religious history. The November wines are produced by Cartuxa Winery. The family behind this winery has an amaging history and mission. To read about of the family and the Eugenio de Almeida Foundation, the owner of the winery, go to their website. This is a remarkable story.

Now the wines – 2022 EA Branco and 2020 EA Tinto. As with most Portugese wines, both are blends of indigenious varietals only produced in Portugal. The white varietals are Antão Vaz + Arinto + Roupeiro. The red varietals are Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah which we have tasted in previouslly offered Portugese wines. With both wines priced at $15, you will find them easy to drink and drinkable now. And, of course, the bottles are corked!

2022 EA Branco, Alentejo, Portugal $15

This blend is clear, brilliant straw to golden yellow color. Mid-intense aromas of white and yellow fruits and flowers, notes of melon, pear, green apple, minerals. Medium-bodied with nice, fresh acidity and alcohol. The finish is lively, smooth, a bit dry and persistent. Perfect pairing: pasta filled with Brie cheese Alcohol: 13.5%

2020 EA Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal $15

This wine has floral fragrances such as nutmeg, cherry, plum and rose. The palate brings a silky mouthfeel with ripe fruit and spice flavors such as cherry, plum, red raspberry, white pepper and baking spices. Vibrant acidity adds a brightness to the fruit. Medium-bodied makes it very food friendly. A great pairing with poultry or lean pork. Alcohol: 14%

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Featured Wines for October – 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc & 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, California

October 1, 2023 · by ·

For five generations the Maggio family has been growing wine grapes in Lodi, California, providing winemakers with superb fruit to make their wines. In 2002, the family started making their own wine using the same estate grown fruit they sold for so many years. They now produce wines under the family name, Maggio Family Vineyards by the Oak Ridge Winery.

October’s white selection 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc will bring a California Sauvignon Blanc to our shelves. The red selection is 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are sustainably grown in the Maggio vineyards. At $11 these wines come from their most affordable Maggio line. Their expensive labels are Maggio Estates, but for the price, this month’s wines are versatile and enjoyable, not $35-$40. If you attended any performances at the Freeman Stage this year and purchased wine, you were drinking Maggio Family Vineyards. Tastings will be against another California Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa.

2021 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi, California $11

This unoaked wine has a smooth and refreshing mouthfeel and exhibits an array of citrus aromas. With white stone fruit accents and its softer lingering finish this wine offers a lighter alternative to white wines such as Chardonnay.This wine is perfect with light appetizers, grilled poultry, pizza, pork chops. Alcohol: 12%

2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi California $11

This Lodi Cabernet has rich berry fruit with oak and vanilla notes. With hints of baking spices, it reminds one of a mouthwatering berry pie, tasty crust and all. It has a medium body and gentle tannins making for very pleasurable wine drinking. This is a go-to wine for food pairing flexibility with grilled or roasted meats. Alcohol: 13.5%

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September Featured Wines -Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedouc, France & Terres Des Treize Vents Pays d’Oc Rouge, France

August 29, 2023 · by ·

The white selection is 2020 Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet. Picpoul de Pinet is an AOC appellation within southern France’s Languedoc region. It specializes in crisp, well-textured citrus-scented white wines exclusively from Picpoul grapes. In March we featured a California Picpoul by Bonny Doon. You may remember this as a crisp, green wine with minerality due to a dry climate. For this wine those characteristics come from the Mediterranean Sea climate.

The red is 2020 Terre Des Treize, Pays d’Oc Rouge. This blend carries the IGP classification consistent with the varietals used in the region. It is a blend of 50% Petit-Verdot & 50% Syrah. After a great deal of searching I have found little information on this wine, so I am just going with my sales reps recommendation! This is how we explore wines of the world! I am taking a bottle home to taste tonight. My review is below!

2020 Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedouc, France $13

This wine is very dry, crisp and fresh; You catch apple and citrus flavors with a clean nice clean finish. Picpoul de Pinet can often be overly plain & simple, but this has a lovely, subtly fruity quality. Drink the youngest vintage available – it’s best when it’s freshest. Great with fresh seafood…Alcohol: 13%

2020 Terres Des Treize Vents Pays d’Oc Rouge, France $11

It is a nice 50/50 blend – medium body without a lot of tannins expected with Petit-Verdot. The lighter Syrah tannins balance the heavy Petit-Verdot tannins. This is a good pairing for charcuterie or spicy meat dishes. Very drinkable – especially for the price. Alcohol: 12.5%

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