2026 Wine Label Contest
A collaboration between Port of Leonardtown Winery &
St. Mary’s County Arts Council
Vote for your favorite design!
Cast your vote now until Sunday, January 25th at 11:59 PM!
We will host a fundraiser for St. Mary’s County Arts Council in Summer 2026 (date TBA) at the Port of Leonardtown Winery. A portion of all sales from this limited edition wine will be donated to the Arts Council.
Check the Port of Leonardtown Winery website for updates about their future label launch party (date TBA).
A) Off Dry White
(Cynthia Martin-Brennan)
B) The Essence of Southern Maryland
(Geraldine Gancayco)
C) The Tributary in Spring
(Spencer Riddile)
We appreciate everyone’s participation! This contest also serves as a fundraiser for St. Mary’s County Arts Council.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our many amazing community programs, scholarships, and more! Any amount is appreciated!
VOTING GUIDELINES
ONE vote per person.
Email address provided will only be used for voting tracking purposes (not shared or sold).
Signing up for news and updates (our monthly e-newsletter) is optional
The design with the most votes will be our First Place Winner! Second place will be determined by the second most number of votes, and Third Place by the third most number of votes.
Project Overview:
The St. Mary’s County Arts Council (SMCAC) has partnered with the Port of Leonardtown Winery (POL) to host a label design contest to celebrate the release of a new wine, and also to raise funds for the Arts Council.
This collaboration is the second of an annual design partnership.
The label will capture the essence of a new, off-dry, white wine. This limited run variety will be released at a celebration at the Port of Leonardtown Winery this summer
The winery will donate 10% of all bottle sales to St. Mary’s County Arts Council!
A team comprised of winery staff and the Arts Council have selected the top three designs. The designs are now open for community voting!
The label receiving the most community votes will be the winner! Second and third place winners will also be determined by the number of votes.
The First Place winner will be featured at the release celebration to sign bottles and be available to chat with guests. Additional opportunities may also be available (i.e. the production of limited edition prints, sale of original work, t-shirt designs, etc.).
Submission Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2026 at 5 PM.
Eligibility: Local artists residing in St. Mary’s, Calvert, or Charles Counties may apply.
Awards:
1st Place Design: $250 Cash Prize (sponsored by the POL Winery) and a POL Complimentary Tasting Gift Certificate. This will be the featured image for the wine bottle.
2nd Place Design: POL Complimentary Tasting Gift Certificate.
3rd Place Design: POL Complimentary Tasting Gift Certificate.
The application period for label submissions is closed!
Timeline
January 10, 2026 at 5 PM
Design submissions deadline.
January 18, 2026
Three finalists announced on our website, Facebook, & Instagram.
January 18 - 25, 2026
Community voting for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place designs.
January 29, 2026
Winners announced!
Date TBA, 2026
Fundraiser for St. Mary’s County Arts Council at the POL Winery.
Date TBA, 2026
Label Launch Party at the POL Winery!
A collaboration with:
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Port of Leonardtown Winery
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St. Mary's County Arts Council