About Us – Meet the Mariner Family
Brittany Mariner and her parents, Barry and Jeannie Mariner, welcome you to stop in and enjoy a glass of one of the shore’s best wines while you explore the wonderful old farmhouse and take in the beautifully landscaped grounds. Come and Celebrate The Simple Life with us! Cheers!
So what’s the story with the old house?
Barry Mariner, the current owner, grew up here on the family farm. The farm was 150 acres back in the day, and this house belonged to his grandparents, Ed and Gertrude Mariner. Ed was the third generation of Mariners to own the farm. He was head of the local farm bureau and cultivated corn and soybeans, maintained extensive vegetable gardens, and raised traditional farm animals. It was a wonderful place that Barry visited daily from his dad’s house, located across the field on the north side of the property.
When Ed passed, the farm was divided among his children, and most of the acreage was sold. Barry inherited the land in 2015 after his father, also named Barry, passed. Today, the farm spans 12.5 acres, and Barry, his wife Jeannie, and their daughter Brittany are now the fifth and sixth generations to care for the land. The house underwent significant renovation to allow it to be open to the public. The Mariners worked to preserve the home’s historic charm, saving and reusing everything possible. Now, it stands as a beautifully decorated trip back in time.
The family conducted extensive research to uncover the history of the house and farm before the first Mariner, Edwin, purchased the property in 1924. They discovered that the farmhouse was originally built in 1858 by Lemuel Showell II—founder of the town of Showell—for his son, Lemuel Showell III, and his new wife. Lemuel III later became the president of the Pocomoke and Wicomico Railroad and was one of the original founders of Ocean City. He played a key role in bringing tourists to the shore via the first railroad lines to Ocean City. The house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
So, when did it become a vineyard and winery?
Barry and Jeannie Mariner inherited the house in 2015. They weren’t sure what they would do with it, but they knew it had to be preserved. Brittany had developed a passion for winemaking and chose to study Enology and Viticulture in college in 2012. Her grandfather and great-grandparents made homemade wine as a hobby, a family tradition she decided to continue.
While Brittany was in college, her father inherited the property, and through a shared desire to preserve the family farm, she and her parents decided to transform it into a winery. It was a new and different style of farming, but they felt it was a great way to honor the land while creating a unique experience for both locals and tourists. After 3½ years of renovations, they planted their first vines in 2017 and officially opened to the public in August of 2018.
“We’ve designed the property to bring visitors back to a simpler time; relaxing in the garden or on a swing under the shade trees is the perfect backdrop for enjoying a glass of wine.”
If you’re looking for a unique destination for music, food, fun, great wine, and a step back into a simpler time, you’ve found it!
Windmill Creek Winery and Farm Kitchen… Celebrating The Simple Life!
