Today we’d like to introduce you to Maura Cahill.
Hi Maura , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wine tells a story—of a place, of a time, of hands that nurture and care for the earth. It’s not just fermented grape juice; it’s a living refl ection of the seasons, the soil, the sun. Unlike beer or spirits, which tend to be the same year after year, wine shifts with the winds of nature. One vintage may whisper soft notes of sun-drenched berries, while the next hums with a different tune entirely. Every vineyard holds its own rhythm, and every bottle becomes a chapter of that tale.
Those who work with wine—growers, makers, caretakers—are deeply connected to the land. Whether you call them wine people or stewards of the vine, they see the earth as both partner and teacher. With respect for its wisdom, many turn to sustainable ways of farming, not just to avoid harm, but to heal, to improve, to give back more than they take. This philosophy has blossomed across the world, shaping a gentler way to farm and to live.
Our own story begins with Jan Luigard and a journey to a small, wine-covered valley in Wurzburg, Germany. There, nestled along the Main River in the late ’80s, he discovered a way of life tied to wine and community. He enjoyed the crisp Rieslings and elegant Sylvaners, dry or just sweet enough. Inspired by the cooperative spirit, where neighbors grew grapes together and shared the fruits of their labor, Jan dreamed of bringing that model home.
By 1997, that dream had taken root with the creation of Penn Oaks Winery—named with a nod to both his Pennsylvania roots and the land that first embraced his vision. The first wines were made in Silver Spring, Maryland, following the German model, crafted with care and patience.
We started small—batches shared, bottles poured at festivals, each glass poured from the heart. But with time came the desire to grow deeper roots. In 2002, we found our land: a preserved slice of Maryland soil in Cooksville. There, we planted, planned, and poured ourselves into building a farm and vineyard that reflected our values.
Now, Penn Oaks is more than a winery. It’s our family’s collective heartbeat. Each of us has a role—whether tending vines, crafting wine, welcoming guests, or guiding our shared decisions. We operate as one, with a shared respect for the land and for each other.
To us, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a promise. We learn our soil like a
friend, listen to what the vines need, and nurture them so they can give us their best. Because great wine doesn’t start in the bottle; it starts in the roots, in the rain, in the rhythm of nature.
Every vineyard has a voice, and every wine speaks of where it came from. We hope that when you taste ours, you’ll hear a whisper of Maryland’s rolling hills, feel the warmth of a family’s dream, and enjoy a moment that tastes like no other.
Prost—to the journey, to the land, and to the stories yet to be told!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My role with our family owned and operated vineyard and winery is as the vineyard manager. I am a biologist. Getting the vineyard established was a huge undertaking. Vines don’t plant or take care of themselves! Just because you want a certain vine variety doesn’t mean it will grow and produce well for you. So, matching the type of grapes you want to produce wine with became challenging. The first years were difficult learning that. When you plant by hand and monitor the growth over a year only to discover that vine doesn’t work well for your farm, it is very discouraging. Eventually, with trial and error (and a lot of painful errors!), we have the right mix of vines that work well for our farm to produce the wines we like and are able to share with others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I always knew I loved being outdoors. Biology of all kinds is my favorite subject! So, besides having a Biology degree, I also have a Masters in Physical Therapy. While I love being a PT, especially, orthopedics, and work currently as a PT, my passion of farming in our vineyard has taken the lead. Growing the vineyard and problem solving for all season’s issues is what I am proud of. The yearly cycle of the vineyard has different tasks to keep it healthy and productive. Researching the most sustainable products to eliminate the use of potentially harmful chemicals is what sets me apart from many vineyard managers. I am excited that there are many more options today than 20 years ago to get as close to organic as possible.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Read, Read, Read! Did I say Read? Really, read and research all you can on this or any topic. Don’t be afraid to experiment but know that you will make mistakes, learn from them and keep learning for years to come. It has been 20+ years and I am still learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.penn-oaks-winery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennoakswinery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennoakswinery
- Other: pennoakswinery@aol.com
