Photo by Skip Lawrence Ed Boyce stands in front of the building at Black Ankle Vinyards on Black Ankle Road north of Mount Airy. It incorporates green features inside and outside.

And Linganore Winecellars, Maryland's oldest and largest singly owned and operated family winery, was recognized by the Maryland Tourism Council for a comprehensive promotional campaign targeting the group tour industry in Pennsylvania and New England.

Black Ankle is growing more than grapes that produce award-winning wines, said John Fieseler, Frederick County tourism director.

"They're also growing appreciation for the environment and their dedication to eco-friendly practices earned them the Green/Sustainable Tourism Award," Fieseler said.

Black Ankle's tasting room was built using wood, stone, straw and clay.

It has a passive solar design with supplemental heat provided by a clean-burning masonry fireplace and a living roof to capture and use rain water while providing insulation.

The winery also has recycling and composting programs and uses sustainable farming practices. Its tours and tastings also educate visitors about eco-friendly practices, said Tiffany Ahalt, the tourism council's marketing manager.

"When you look at what they've done, it's truly inspiring," Ahalt said.

Ed Boyce co-owns Black Ankle Vineyards with Sarah O'Herron. "Getting the green award is fantastic. It's a great honor.

"We hope that it's a testament to people doing things differently and reducing our carbon footprint in the world.

"We put a lot of work in the building and it's great to be recognized for it," Boyce said.

The Judges' Award went to Linganore Winecellars for the company's promotional campaign.

The winery changed its traditional color scheme to Maryland state colors and produced new banners, brochures, festival fliers, rack cards and posters, Fieseler said.

"It was their forward-thinking and comprehensive approach to marketing and branding that caught the judges' attention," Fieseler said.

The two wineries have a history of producing award-winning wines.

For Black Ankle, the award comes two months after receiving the 2009 Governor's Cup -- a coveted win in the industry -- for its 2007 Crumbling Rock wine.

Linganore Winecellars was selected as the 2008 Frederick County Agribusiness of the Year by the Frederick County Business Development Advisory Council and the Office of Economic Development.

Both wineries are part of the Frederick Wine Trail, a program that promotes viticulture in Frederick .

"By following the wine trail, visitors can experience a variety of places in Frederick County and it is a great way to experience the picturesque Frederick County countryside," Fieseler said.