Farmer/Cofounder, Old Westminster Winery, Westminster, MD
Farmer/Cofounder, The Burnt Hill Project, Clarksburg, MD
Outstanding in his field
In 2010, Baker spearheaded what seemed like a humble project to preserve his family’s Maryland farmland by turning it into a vineyard and winery. The years since, however, prove his efforts have been anything but modest. Alongside sisters, Lisa and Ashli, the vigneron has overhauled the entire site, planted more than 10,000 vines starting in 2011 and created a range of quality wines using sustainable, low-intervention methods that have put the Mid-Atlantic front and center for a new, younger generation of wine lovers. He is also the driving force behind his family’s biodynamic winemaking venture, The Burnt Hill Project, launched in 2016.
Instagram: @drewhbaker; @oldwestminsterwinery