The Layton family has been a presence in Dorchester County, Maryland agriculture since Joseph H. Layton, Sr. bought the original farm in 1948. Two generations of Laytons later, the idea of Layton's Chance Winery and Vineyard was brought to fruition. In an effort to diversify their farming operation the family planted their first grapes in 2007. Taking a leap of faith and a "chance," they planted grapes suited for the climate of the Eastern Shore and anxiously waited to see if their hard work would ever bear fruit. Bear it did, and in 2010, the family opened the winery that would come to be known as Layton's Chance. With a strong family bond and teamwork, the vineyard has since expanded from just six acres of grapes to fourteen and production has increased from five wines to nine in just four short years!