Heart of Business
Boyd Cru: Where Community, Creativity and Opportunity Meet
Mar 24, 2026
Boyd Cru Wines is a hub for community, entrepreneurship and local opportunity, crafting approachable wines and creating spaces that support other small businesses and local artists.
Maryland’s economy is built by people — and by businesses that show up, even when the system doesn’t make it easy. Boyd Cru Wines is one of those businesses.
Jon’ll and Matthew Boyd started Boyd Cru Wines in 2022, dreaming of creating approachable, vibrant wines. By May 2025, they had opened their first tasting room in Savage. But their vision went beyond bottles and barrels: it was about building community, opportunity, and representation in an industry where less than 1% of wineries are Black-owned.
“We didn’t start Boyd Cru Wines just to make wine. We wanted to create a space where people could connect, support local businesses, and see themselves represented.” —Jon’ll Boyd, Co-owner
A Tasting Room That Lifts Others Up
The Boyd’s tasting room isn’t just for wine tasting — it’s a hub for local entrepreneurs. The Cru Collaborative is a retail space for 12 local small businesses, giving them visibility, customers, and a chance to grow.
“Every person can be a billboard for a small business. If policymakers and community members make space for small businesses to thrive, everyone wins.” —Jon’ll Boyd
From supporting local artists to providing a platform for other businesses, Boyd Cru is turning a tasting room into a community engine, showing how small businesses can impact more than the bottom line.
Q&A: Starting Boyd Cru Wines
Q: What surprised you most about opening a winery in Maryland?
Jon’ll: “How complicated it is to navigate laws that haven’t changed in decades. For example, our license only allows us to pour our own wine — we can’t give other small producers a chance in our tasting room. That’s a missed opportunity for collaboration and growth.”
Q: Why did you choose to start a winery?
Matthew: “We wanted a project that would combine creativity, community, and entrepreneurship. What started as a retirement idea quickly turned into a full-time commitment because we realized the potential impact we could have.”
Q: What keeps you up at night?
Jon’ll: “Managing every aspect of the business, from customers and costs to regulations — and thinking about how we can make this industry more accessible to people who look like us and share our passions.”
Q: How are you using your business to give back?
Jon’ll: “The Cru Collaborative is the clearest example. We select small, local businesses to join the space. We also showcase local artists, and every event is a chance to bring the community together.”
Breaking Barriers in Wine
Less than 1% of wineries are Black-owned — a statistic that blew the Boyds’ minds. They knew that representation matters and wanted to show others that entry into this industry is possible.
“We know people like us drink wine. So why shouldn’t they also have a chance to own, work, and thrive in this industry?” —Jon’ll Boyd
Their goal is to create opportunities for others, whether through production, retail, or community engagement. And while Maryland’s laws currently limit how tasting rooms can operate, the Boyds see a bigger picture:
“If laws fit today’s business models — not the ones from 50 years ago — small businesses can innovate and grow.” —Jon’ll Boyd
Business as a Force for Community
At Boyd Cru Wines, success isn’t measured by sales alone. The Boyds are committed to lifting up their community: supporting other small businesses, showcasing local artists, and creating a gathering place for friends and neighbors.
“We didn’t wait for opportunity to come to us. We created it — and we’re bringing others along with us.” —Matthew Boyd
Through every bottle poured and every retail display curated, Boyd Cru is strengthening Maryland’s economy by supporting people, building opportunity and fostering community.
Lessons for Maryland’s Economy
Boyd Cru Wines shows how entrepreneurship can address bigger challenges: economic opportunity, diversity, and community connection. By showing up, building creatively, and supporting others, the Boyds are making Maryland a more vibrant place to live and work.
“Making sure laws fit today’s business models, not the models of 20, 30, or 50 years ago, is critical for small businesses to thrive.” —Jon’ll Boyd
Commentary: Making Maryland more affordable starts with the cost of doing business