About Us

The Detour Story...

To tell our story, we have to take a few steps back.  In the late 1980's, Dan Sr. started a landscape company with little more than the family minivan, 2 walk behind mowers, and a willing and able wife and son.  More than 20 years later, this business is still in operation.  In 1999, we bought the nearly 80 acre farm to expand our tree farm operation, where we grew most of our tree inventory for the business under Grace Hills Farm.  After we had sold and installed nearly all of our first rotation in 2004, we noticed a downward shift in the commercial industry and began the brainstorming process for possible uses for the land.  Noting the beautiful location with sloping hills as well as the massive irrigation system that we had installed, we agreed that the farm would be a perfect fit for either horses or a vineyard operation.  The more we talked about it, we decided that instead of selling the farm for either, we should start up the vineyard to supply the local Maryland wineries.  After even more discussions, we decided to honor our family history and pursue a full blown winery operation.  

The Tamminga family history is steeped in agriculture as is most of the European settlers that founded this great country.  Our ancestors had a little more than dabbled in the wine industry many generations ago.  During World War II, Dan Sr's father had fled Holland at 16 years old in search of a better life.  By way of Canada, he migrated down to the states, earned his citizenship, and soon found love and started a family.  It was with his family and the promise of a better life, he began a long and rewarding career as an automotive mechanic specialist  at Ford Motor Company.  One tradition that he continued throughout Dan Sr's childhood was the family history in wine making.  It was this life experience that would surface once again more than 40 years later and 500 miles away at the family farm in Detour.  Realizing the potential, Dan Sr and son Dann Jr began training to further perfect the skill set and take it to the next level.  Dann Jr's wife, Beth, also received her degree in and manages not only weddings and events, but also Detour's marketing campaigns as well.  The late Patricia, wife to Dan Sr, was also a driving force in the vision and motivation behind the new family business.  

Many folks ask us what makes us unique and sets us apart.  We wanted to resurrect our family heritage by using "Old World" techniques such as slow fermentation, all-natural ingredients, and producing the best product possible!  Labs are a great tool to assist with consistency, but there are some skill sets that can not be learned or improved upon.  Hundreds of years ago, vintners had little more that some rough tools and their bare hands, yet made some exceptional wines.  We wanted to bring that same philosophy to you...from our barrel to your glass.  

The other aspect of our vision was to make Detour a destination winery.  There is so much natural beauty in the estate and the surrounding Catoctin mountains.  We envisioned that this place would be a special place for our guests and their families to relax, recharge, and reconnect with each other.  Life today is too hectic and fast paced.  Take a "detour", slow down, discover new places, friends, and wines, reflect on your experience and all that is good in life, and savour those great things!  

We strive to provide you an exceptional time with us...one that you can take with you and savour any time you wish!  Pop a cork, raise a glass, and toast to friends, family, and all that is good in life and re-live those memories with every sip!

From our family to yours ~

Cheers!