Rob Deford of Boordy Vineyards was recognized for his ongoing contributions to the wine industry and carrying on a 75 year legacy in Maryland
(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – Boordy Vineyards President,Rob Deford, was honored at the 2020 Eastern Wine Exposition with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Citing his ongoing land stewardship and exemplary operation of a family winery on the East Coast, this award recognizes Deford’s efforts and role at the helm of Maryland’s oldest winery. The 2020 Eastern Winery Expo was held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in early March.
“It is a great honor, and frankly a surprise to receive this recognition from The Eastern Winery Exposition,” says Deford. “Being part of the eastern wine industry for the past 40 years has been reward enough. I’ve met so many fascinating, talented, obsessed people along the way, and as our winery has grown, so has our industry. This is Boordy’s 75th anniversary; it has been a wonderful journey, and this is just the beginning.”
Noted during the presentation of the award was Deford’s on-farm research and focus on grape and wine quality. Selflessly sharing findings with industry peers, Deford has made contributions to winemakers and vineyard operators all over the Eastern United States.
“The membership of the Maryland Wineries Association is so proud to have the founding father – Boordy – honored,” said Judy Crow, Crow Vineyard and President of the Maryland Wineries Association. “Rob Deford and his family have been pioneers and leaders in the advancement of Maryland farm wineries and our membership is grateful for their leadership in the Maryland wine industry.”
“This is a well-earned and much-deserved honor,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “Many in the industry owe their successes to Rob Deford and the work he’s done on behalf of all wineries in the state.”
About Boordy Vineyards. Upon settling in the Long Green Valley in 1725, our relatives fell in love with its gentle, productive land, put down roots, and never left. Named “Long Green” on the old plats, our farm has been a model of local agriculture, as successive generations have worked its fields, harvested crops, and tended livestock. Boordy’s grapevines stretch over the hills and across the valley of Long Green today. Like most farming, winegrowing stems from a profound respect and fascination with the land; indeed, a vineyard is a crop that lasts many decades, so sustainability is foremost on our mind. In keeping with an ethos of stewardship, we have placed our farm in permanent preservation with the Maryland Environmental Trust.
About the Eastern Wine Exposition. Eastern Winery Exposition brings together the combined expertise and experience of Bob Mignarri, Richard Leahy, Marcia Gulino, and two knowledgeable and actively engaged advisory boards. Bob has 35+ years of successful trade show management experience and has earned a reputation among exhibitors as someone who recognizes and understands their needs and concerns. Richard is a renowned wine expert with 20+ years of experience in developing quality conference programs. He ensures the EWE program content is always timely, relevant and addressing the industry issues that matter. Marcia is a global events specialist whose 20+ years of operations experience runs the gamut from presidential town halls to professional cycling races, corporate incentive programs to FIFA World Cup soccer, and trade shows & conferences to the Olympic Winter Games. Together they have a proven track record in helping industry events to grow and become more successful.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association that represents 80 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland – through education and promotion.
