RE/MAX Realty Center & UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer
Wine Tasting, February 18th 2011

Special Thanks to UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer in the Highlands Shopping Center, Clarksburg for making such great wine selections and wonderful food suggestions for each wine.

If you're interested in purchasing any of the wines we enjoyed at the event, contact Tim in the Clarksburg location at 301-916-7777 or visit the website at www.upcounty.com

Elk Run Wine Tasting
Friday February 18th @ 7:30pm
On the Patio at Bassett’s
~Taste Some Great Local Wines~
~Sample Some Fabulous Local Fare~
Space is Limited, so
Get Your Tickets Now
Only $20.00

Tickets are Available at Bassett’s Restaurant
or Upcounty Fine Wine (Next to Subway)

For Further Information
Please Contact Trish
301-972-7443 or
bassettsrestaurant@comcast.net

Maryland's fastest growth creates problems
Clarksburg grew by more than 650 percent, census says (Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun / February 10, 2011)

......."Wine tastings at Upcounty are well-attended, DeArros said. Women have their bunco clubs, men have their poker games, and neighbors look out for each other during snowstorms. And in the summer, neighbors order pizza from the shop next door, pop open cans of beer, and sit outside on Upcounty's patio......
If a proposed transit line is built in the I-270 corridor," DeArros said, "the last decade's explosive population growth will look modest in comparison."

"As desperate as we are for retail and the social life and some offices and businesses and jobs, and jobs and jobs, it's still a bedroom community that is right next to the highway and can get people to work," he said. "If they bring us the light rail, Clarksburg will grow by a geometric proportion." [click here to view entire article]

Fordham Copperhead Ale wins UpCounty's Winter BrewerTaster II
Sold out a second time, the Winter BrewerTaster II was a big hit at Bassetts Restaurant in Poolesville.  A number of the first event participants could not resist another round of 32 beer tastes and great pub and dinner fare. Fordham Coppehead beat out Moosehead Lager in the final to take first place.  A third event for a wine tasting was announced at the BrewerTaster with a number of the guests quickly signing up.  The wine tasting is on friday Feb 18th, 7:30pm at Bassetts Restaurant in Poolesville.  Elk Run wines will be tasted by a representative from the winery.



"Fordham’s flagship beer is our interpretation of the Düsseldorf style Altbier. Its deep copper hue is a result of the caramelized malted barley used. Copperhead is significantly hopped to provide its signature balanced flavor this ale is known for." - Brewer

December 9th, 2010 9:51 pm ET
By Rob Garretson, DC Budget Wine Examiner

The Wine Spectator Top 100 were chosen by the editors from among the more than 3,900 wines they rated “outstanding” (90 points or higher on the now-ubiquitous 100-point scale). That was from a sample of than 15,800 new releases the editors tasted blind throughout the year.
.....Taking the No. 90 spot on the list with another 90-point score was an Argentine malbec, Bodega Norton Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2007, listed at $20 in the Top 100, but selling for $14.24 at UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer in Clarksburg, MD. (It is currently sold out, but they may be able to reorder the 2007 vintage if Montgomery County still has some.).... [click here to read entire article]

Recommended New York wines

More and more New York wines are available in the Washington area. (Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010; 3:21 PM

Here are some of the best New York wines available in the Washington area..... UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer in Clarksburg. [click here to view article]

First Annual Clarksburg Day Softball Tournament (Posted July 16, 2010)

As many of you know, the Clarksburg team sporting Bud Light t-shirts (see roster below) defeated Damascus wearing Miller Lite t-shirts during the first Clarksburg Day softball tournament game. Dewey Miller, Team Captain led the spirited Clarksburg unit to victory, while Caitlin Moriarity was awarded the team's Most Valuable Player.

Below are pictures from the game. Go to the Clarksburg Hospital website, Facebook page and newsletter for more!

Clarksburg Community Hospital's Photos - Clarksburg Day
Posted: July 14, 2010

Clarksburg Day was celebrated on June 26, 2010 in the Clarksburg Historic District, marking the town's 258th anniversary. Adventist HealthCare helped to sponsor the day's events and provided a booth with free blood pressure screenings and information about the planned Clarksburg Community Hospital. Paula Widerlite of Adventist HealthCare threw the first pitch at the first annual Clarksburg v. Damascus co-ed adult slow-pitch softball game and discussed the planned Clarksburg Hospital and Medical Campus.

Left to Right: Evelyn Hernandez (Captain, Damascus Team); John Ziegler (Clarksburg Player); Dewey Miller (Captain, Clarksburg Team); Gordon Taylor (UpCounty.com, the tournament organizer); Keith Hussong (Umpire).

Clarksburg Day, UpCounty Softball Tournament
Clarksburg v. Damascus, Co-ed Adult Slow-pitch Softball

New for Clarksburg Day is the first annual UpCounty Softball Tournament.  This historic Clarksburg Day event will pit two cross-region rivals in a single game to determine a 2010 Champion. ALL are encouraged to play and provide fan support.   The play format is simple:  1)  Adults over 21yrs.;  2) Co-ed Teams; 3) Slow-pitch; and  4) Lots of fun and great exercise!

1)  Free team t-shirt and other giveaways
2)  Free Post-game party at UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer
3)  Free wine tasting, pizza and refreshments
4)  Fun in the sun listening to live music
5)  Championship Cup for the winners and cheers for all teams

**NO CHARGE TO PLAY - JUST BRING YOUR GLOVE & SHOES**
Limited team spots available.  Don't miss your chance to take part in this first-ever Upper Montgomery County tournament.

Confirm your desire to play by this Friday, June 18th.  Email reply to: gordon@UpCounty.com.  Include your contact info:  name; telephone# and cell#; email address.

Clarksburg chamber asking residents about priorities in online survey
Feedback sought on what matters to a growing community
by Susan Singer-Bart, Gazette Newspapers | Staff Writer, June 9, 2010

Clarksburg residents can express their thoughts about their community in an online survey being conducted this week by the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce....."It pays for us to occasionally go out to residents and say, ‘what are people thinking now' and not miss any voices," said Gordon Taylor, chairman of the chamber events committee. [click here to view entire article]

Clarksburg Town Survey
Submitted: June 2, 2010, Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce

Members of the County Council asked for more input from the residents of Clarksburg.  Since joining Constant Contact, the Chamber created a survey to identify priorities, projects, and future goals for residents and businesses of Clarksburg.

The survey form is brief and will officially close on Sunday, June 13. [Take Survey]

The results will be used to issue a report and will be distributed to the County Executive and County Council as a guideline for the progress of Clarksburg's development and prosperity.  It will also be a basis for questions at a planned candidates forum.

The Chamber solicited questions from community organizations and homeowner associations.  It is critical to Clarksburg's future to get a solid response from residents and businesses.  Please forward this e-mail to your neighbors and customers.  There is membership contact information for community groups at the end of the survey.

The Chamber consulted with county officials and it is understood the results of the survey will not be an obligation to the county, but will help focus planning and growth. 

[Click to receive the survey results  -  Enter your email address]

PRESS RELEASE:  UpCounty's BrewerTaster Kick-off
UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer, May 18, 2010

Clarksburg, Maryland. With 32 beers tasted and enjoyed under the warmth of the patio sun, UpCounty marked a successful BrewerTaster inaugural this past Saturday, May 15th.  Participants travelled from as far as Upper Marlboro and Northern Virginia.  Turn-out was particularly impressive as the well-established Wine in the Woods and Preakness horse race events competed for spring weekend schedules.

The BrewerTaster Results for 2010, Spring are as follows in rank order:

IPA:  Wild Goose (winner); Magic Hat Lucky Kat; DogFish Head 60 Minutes; Harpoon; Samuel Smith; Sierra Nevada Torpedo
LAGER:   Paulaner (winner)*; Flying Dog Old Scratch; Fordham Helles; Dominion; McSorely Black; Leinenkugel Classic Amber;  Tsingtao, Starr Hill
WHEAT:  Shock Top (winner); Leinenkugel Sunset; Hoegaarden; Pyramid Hefeweizen Widmer Hefeweizen; Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen; Kona Wailua; Sierra Kellerweiss
STOUT:  O’Haras Irish (winner); Sam Adams Cream; Samuel Smith Oatmeal; Starr Hill Dark Star; Brooklyn Chocolate; Sierra Nevada

* Paulaner was selected as the overall BrewerTaster 2010, Spring Champion by the event attendees.

Montgomery County hospitals battle for prize turf
By Danielle Ulman, Daily Record Business Writer, May 18, 2010

UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer owner, Gordon Taylor, and other "Supporters of a proposed Clarksburg hospital rallied for their cause Monday, while about a mile away, the group behind a competing Germantown hospital proposal released an economic impact report supporting its project.

The two hospital systems — Adventist HealthCare, which seeks to build the Clarksburg Community Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital, which wants to build a facility in Germantown — are  vying for approval from the state, but only one can win........" [click here to view entire article]

Community Rallies in Support of Clarksburg Community Hospital and Germantown Emergency Center
Residents Speak of Commitment, Collaboration and Economic Viability of Adventist HealthCare’s Upcounty Proposal, May 17, 2010

.......“The Clarksburg Hospital, with its location right off of the 270 exit for Route 121, is the strongest location for a hospital- not only in Montgomery County but within the state,” said Gordon Taylor, UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer business owner. “The location provides important access to health care for the entire upcounty region.”...... [click here to view entire article]

No business like snow business
Storm disastrous for some, a boon for others
by Gazette Staff | Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010

......Although many businesses suffered during the recent snow storms, one upcounty retailer flourished — private wine and beer stores. Gordon Taylor, owner of UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer in Clarksburg, described the Thursday night before the Feb. 5-6 storm as "like a night before Thanksgiving or Christmas, one of the top four or five. Friday was also strong."

Taylor tries to keep the store open 365 days a year, but he did stay closed Feb. 6 and reopened the next day, Super Bowl Sunday.  Business that weekend was close to normal, he said.

The store also remained open through last week's blizzard. "A number of people walked on foot to the store," Taylor said. "People were really surprised to see us open."  He expects being opening developed some good will with his customers.  [click here for complete Gazette article]

Decision time for Clarksburg: Incorporation or not?
Residents will have to decide on what path to take
by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Dec. 16 2009

The fact-finding mission is over and residents of Clarksburg must now decide if they want to pursue incorporation, said Gordon Taylor, who led the effort for the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce.

"It's not a slam-dunk to a clear road where this is beneficial," Taylor said. "The key advantage is to have a representative body be thoughtful on the issues and really focused on what [residents] need and want."

Several Clarksburg residents attended a chamber-sponsored meeting earlier this month with Tom Reynolds, a researcher for the Maryland Municipal League, and Mayor Jeffrey Slavin of Somerset to get more information on incorporation................ [click here for complete Gazette article]

Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce Spearheads Discovery Process for Town Incorporation
By Rande Davis, Monocacy Monocle, Dec. 11, 2009

..............Taylor was positive about the meetings so far and the actions being planned. “Overall, the incorporation discovery process has been fruitful. Our findings reveal that incorporation is a very viable alternative—not as onerous as it initially appeared. The key is to establish an industrious and committed volunteer group early on that is willing to sustain what could take two to three years to accomplish. Key success factors include marketing to the citizenry, complex budget analysis and negotiation, and fundraising. ” Taylor said. "Now we leave it to town residents to determine the best path. As business people, we will continue to support the town in whatever manner possible to move forward."

Chamber still considering Clarksburg incorporation
Option will only be pursued with community support
by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Dec. 2 2009

The Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce will move forward in its fact-finding mission on incorporating the town and hopes questions raised during a recent meeting with Poolesville officials will be answered Thursday when members meet with a representative of the Maryland Municipal League.

Chamber members said they came away from the trip to Poolesville with the deep sense of identity and control that incorporation gives a community. "The strongest thing all of us felt, when we went to the Poolesville Town Hall — you see the town before you — a tremendous sense of pride," said chamber member Gordon Taylor, who is leading the research effort.....................................[click here for complete Gazette article]

Clarksburg mulls incorporation
Chamber will lead fact-finding look at pros, cons of home rule
by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Nov. 11 2009

As the Clarksburg community continues to wait for the roads, stores and library it has been promised, the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce is exploring the idea of home rule by incorporating the town.

Chamber representatives will meet Tuesday with leaders from Poolesville, one of the oldest incorporated towns in Montgomery County, to discuss the pros and cons of incorporation, chamber member Gordon Taylor said..................[click here for complete Gazette article]

Clarksburg adults mix softball, socializing
by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Oct. 28, 2009

...........League sign-up was held at UpCounty Fine Wine and Beer on Stringtown Road, and that is where teams retreated for after-game socializing and weekly happy hours.

"One of the benefits of the sport is the socializing and networking after the game," store owner Gordon Taylor said.

Taylor helped organize the league with Clarksburg Softball coach Rusty Dillon, who served as league commissioner.

He convinced three other businesses — Bartlett Roofing and Sheet Metal, Clarksburg Animal Hospital and Weichert Realtors — to sponsor teams at a cost of $350 apiece..........[click here for complete Gazette article]

 Chris Rossi/The Gazette

Maskal honored for her guidance of master plan
Former county planner helped create document on Clarksburg development
by Nathan Carrick | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, May 27 2009

..............."The best is yet to come in Clarksburg," she said. "It's a great community that's going to be greater."

About a dozen community members attended the ceremony at Upcounty Fine Wine and Beer in Clarksburg, said Patrick Darby, president of the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce.

Those gathered for the ceremony were there because they appreciated the contributions of Maskal and Pleasants Construction, which was honored with the Business Excellence Award.............. [click here for complete Gazette article]

More businesses close in Clarksburg
Delayed construction, poor economy contribute to failures in community's only shopping center, store owners say
by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Apr. 15, 2009

.........One successful business is Upcounty Fine Wine and Beer, which is looking for a larger space. "To stay in business and succeed we try to evolve," store owner Gordon Taylor said. When he first opened, customers wanted expensive bottles of wine, so he stocked more of those. Now they are buying less expensive wines, so he adjusted his stock accordingly. He also created a Web site to attract customers from all over the county.

"We're re-emphasizing our wine tasting, going back to our roots," Taylor said. [click here for complete Gazette article]

Wine Tasting with Donna Andrews
Saturday, August 30, 2008, 4:00 PM, Patrick Darby

August's meeting will be in the same shoping center, but a different location. The chamber of commerce is celebrating its aniversary and UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer is hosting businesses each hour. I've been scheduled from 4pm to 5pm for free wine tasting and pizza (cheese or pepperoni).

Our guest author, Donna Andrews, is happy to join us to talk about her latest book, Cockatiels at Seven, which is appropriate for this venue. I met her a few years ago when she started a series with an artificial intelligence detective. All her stories are mysteries, but she adds a humorous flair.

Check out her Mag Langslow titles:

No Nest for the Wicket
Murder with Puffins
Owl's Well That Ends Well
We'll Always Have Parrots
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingo
Murder with Peacocks
The Penguin Who Knew Too Much

Turing Hopper is an excellent name for her artificial intelligence detective in this series:

You've Got Murder
Click Here for Murder
Access Denied
Delete All Suspects

I'll have copies of Cockatiels at Seven for the booksigning, as well as 3 copies of Delete All Suspects (hardback). Please let me know if you want to reserve a copy.

The Clarksburg Highlands Shopping Center is on the corner of Frederick and Stringtown Road. It's north of Germantown, and south of Frederick, on I-270. Take the Clarksburg Road exit (East) and it's the second traffic light.

(Patrick Darby, President & Founder Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce)

Clarksburg Chamber turns 1
People and Places | Susan Singer-Bart | Gazette Newspaper, Aug. 27, 2008

The Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its first anniversary with a party 2-7 p.m. Saturday at UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer, 23229 Stringtown Road, in the Clarksburg Highlands shopping center. More than 20 Clarksburg area businesses will attend, as will local nonprofit organizations............. [click here for complete Gazette article]

Highlands merchants form association
Several stores in Clarksburg community’s only shopping center say they are struggling
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper Mar 5, 2008

......... At least one tenant, Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer, is doing extremely well, Shinskie said, and he has a long list of tenants that want to move into the shopping center if others leave........ [click here for complete Gazette articel]

Laurie DeWitt⁄The Gazette

Magruder Grad's first CD coming in March
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Feb 13, 2008

Eighteen-year-old Quanisha Wathington warmed the hearts of Clarksburg residents with her voice during two community events in December. Her fans will soon be able to hear more of her when her debut CD is released in March ......Gordon Taylor, the owner of Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer in the Highlands of Clarksburg shopping center, where Wathington works, said she has a lot of tenacity, which he thinks will help her pursue her music career.

‘‘What I saw in her from the beginning was someone who is working her way through school and was pursuing a very difficult career path, but at the same time doing it the right way by including an education,” Taylor said........  [click here for complete Gazette article]

Naomi Brookner⁄The Gazette

Retailers say Transitway delay is bad for business
Project not scheduled to begin construction until 2012
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Jan. 9, 2008

...... The Corridor Cities Transitway is the cornerstone for future investment in Clarksburg, said Gordon Taylor, owner of Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer in the Highlands of Clarksburg shopping center. He thinks it will attract additional retail and more office jobs.

Taylor said he favors the light rail option.

‘‘Rail makes a statement about investment and commitment to an area,” he said...........[click here for complete Gazette article]

Clarksburg Chamber honors Pfeiffer for her efforts
Organization recognizes that her work to get a new middle school in town is good for business
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Dec. 26, 2007

.........Gordon Taylor, owner of the Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer in the Highlands of Clarksburg shopping center, said Pfeiffer represents the spirit of the community and her accomplishment is invaluable.

‘‘I think that as we see growth and investment, whether it is private investment or public investment, it says a lot to a business owner,” Taylor said. ‘‘It drives you to feel that the money that you have invested and the time you are putting in is being equaled. It is a critical thing. It is what everyone is going to be looking for in the business community.” [click here for complete Gazette article]

Old traditions meet new as Clarksburg welcomes holidays
Weekend events designed to bring community together
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Dec. 5, 2007
..............visitors can warm their spirits during the Holiday Boutique and Wine Tasting, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Highlands of Clarksburg shopping center at 23207 Stringtown Road. The Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event.

More than 20 vendors from around the upcounty will set up shop outside the shopping center. They will sell chocolates, discounted vacation packages, handmade jewelry and coffee.

‘‘The biggest reason for the event is we wanted to demonstrate for the community what are really wonderful place Clarksburg is and can be,” said Gordon Taylor, the owner of Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer, where visitors can sample wines at the event. ‘‘We saw this as a really excellent way to showcase the community spirit around the holidays.”

Clarksburg resident Quanisha Wathington, 18, will perform holiday carols at the boutique from 1 to 2 p.m. in front of the Clarksburg Ombudsman’s Office. She will lead visitors in a holiday singalong.

Wathington has been working at Upcounty Fine Wine & Beer for the past year. [click here for complete Gazette article]

Chamber members support plans for Town Center core
But wish it could be built sooner to give added support to existing Clarksburg businesses
by Titus Ledbetter III | Staff Writer | Gazette Newspaper, Oct. 31, 2007

........ Gordon Taylor, owner of Upcounty Fine Wine and Beer in the Highlands of Clarksburg shopping center, which is just 1,000 feet away from the Clarksburg Town Center retail area, saw the revised plans for the first time Tuesday.
‘‘It does a really good job of capturing the vision of a walking, neo-traditional town,” he said of the plan. ‘‘If feels like it is something that, as a consumer, you can see yourself spending time there.” ............... [click here for complete Gazette article]