Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Leonardtown approves five‑year lease renewal for Port of Leonardtown winery
Loading...
Summary
The Leonardtown Town Council voted to renew the lease for the Port of Leonardtown winery at 23190 Newtown Neck Road for five years with a five‑year option; the cooperative will pay $300 a month toward grounds upkeep and plans building upgrades including additional restrooms.
The Leonardtown Town Council voted to renew the town lease for the Port of Leonardtown winery at 23190 Newtown Neck Road for a five‑year term with a five‑year option, and approved the cooperative’s offer to pay $300 a month toward grounds upkeep. The vote was taken by voice and the motion carried.
The renewal was introduced during the town administrator’s report. Town Administrator Michelle (last name not specified) said the current lease is up in early 2026 and that the winery cooperative is prepared to invest “a substantial amount of funds to improve the existing building.” David Wood, president of the winery cooperative, told the council the facility has become a major tourism draw for St. Mary’s County and has increased production and weekend attendance in recent years. “We very much appreciate the talent support and your support,” Wood said.
The cooperative told the council it plans interior upgrades including additional restrooms; officials said those restrooms will be constructed from an existing storage area rather than by expanding the building footprint because portions sit in the flood plain. Council members discussed timing and the cooperative indicated work is hoped to occur without interrupting business, with a target in the January–February time frame.
Town documents presented at the meeting said the winery has occupied the town‑owned property since 2010 and that the cooperative expects to invest funds in the building before the new lease begins. The cooperative also discussed sourcing for grape supplies and said they use in‑state sources when membership production is insufficient.
The council motion to renew the lease was made and seconded on the floor; the vote was recorded by voice with all members answering “Aye.” The meeting transcript does not include a roll‑call tally or the names of the individual mover and seconder.
The renewal allows the cooperative to proceed with planned upgrades while remaining subject to the terms of the town lease; council members said renewing before the cooperative invests was a priority so improvements are made under a current agreement.
