Tom Shelton in a Bottle

From start to finish, owner and winemaker Tom Shelton is involved in creating, experimenting, managing and perfecting all that it takes to make award-winning wines. He is particular about everything. From the delicate de-leafing of vines around clusters of grapes, to the operation of a bottle washer, to the shades of color on bottle labels, Tom takes a hands-on approach to growing grapes and producing wines.

With an early interest in agriculture and extensive experience in poultry production and management, Tom began planting vines on his Eden, MD property in 1999. Today, he has approximately 12 acres under active cultivation. He runs his business with the help of part-time, seasonal, volunteer and family workers.

Tom grows eleven varieties of red and white grapes: French American hybrids consisting of chambourcin and vidal; and standard vinifera vine grapes which include chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc, viognier, pinot gris, petite verdot and malbec.

Depending on the grape variety and style, the fermentation process occurs in stainless steel or oak barrels - either American, French and East Hungarian oak. There are also some hybrid barrels made with Missouri oak staves and French oak heads. Barrels impart flavor and enhance the wine, much as spices enhance food. Natural cork from Spain or Portugal is fire-branded with the Bordeleau name. The bottling line is state-of-the-art.

In the summer of 2008, Bordeleau opened Wicomico County’s first licensed winery and tasting room, thereby achieving a new milestone by presenting its wines and events to the public at large. Initial response has been very gratifying. Distribution through local and regional restaurants and retail outlets is underway. And competitions and festivals are bringing additional recognition.

But it is Tom’s nature not to be satisfied. In his words: "I don’t want to be in this business unless I can consistently, year in and year out, make wines that are world-class. We are getting better, and I would say our wines are very competitive. I don’t want to be big, I just want to be very good."

(Some words and phrases in the foregoing are attributed to Brice Stump, as written in an article in the The Daily Times which appeared July 6, 2008)