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Pro-winery forces in Prince George's County have passed a major hurdle in opening wineries and bed-and-breakfasts, businesses they said would help promote tourism in the county's rural areas.

On Nov. 17, the County Council passed two bills, both 9-0, to permit wineries and other activities, which local farmers said is a sign that county lawmakers are committed to preserving the rural tier, the southeastern section of the county that holds a large share of farmland.

The first bill adds a definition of wineries to the county zoning code and permits them in residential areas zoned for agricultural use. The second bill defines agritourism — from bed-and-breakfasts to farm tours — and permits in certain residential areas.

"It's a big hurdle passed, because while the state would have let us have a winery ... the county had no zoning provision," said Gordon Gemeny, who runs a 200-acre farm in Brandywine and started growing grapes three years ago. "Because it wasn't permitted, it was therefore excluded."

Gemeny — one of two county farmers to express interest in starting a winery so far — said the next step is lobbying state legislators to change state liquor laws, which prohibit the county from issuing liquor licenses that would allow Prince George's wineries to sell bottles of wine on-site.

"The only way that a farm winery will work is if they have a tasting room and people taste it and buy it and carry it off," Gemeny said.

State lawmakers representing Prince George's County have tried to introduce such measures during the 2008 and 2009 sessions, but both attempts failed to reach a vote before the General Assembly adjourned.

Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, said he thinks previous efforts have been unsuccessful because as long as the county couldn't permit wineries, there was no reason to move forward.

He added that he hopes the two measures passed by the County Council will create more momentum behind any future attempts.

The association, which promotes the interests of local vineyards and wineries, is pushing for comprehensive reform of state liquor laws. This reform would include changing sections that prohibit county wineries from selling their product on the premises.

"The single best way to introduce their ag product to customers is to invite them onto the facility...and make that connection," Atticks said. "Most of the wines that they sell through stores are to people who have been to the winery."

County Councilman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel, who introduced the agritourism bills, said that while he and other council members cannot change state liquor laws, they will act as "cheerleaders" for the pro-winery movement.

Dernoga said he has testified before state lawmakers in favor of changing the laws in the past and plans to do so again if a measure is introduced.

"This council has been the most supportive council of all time of agricultural pursuits and agricultural preservation," he said.

The Prince George's County Farm Bureau will also throw its support behind any measure that could help local wineries succeed, said organization President Yates Claggett.

"A profitable farm preserves itself," he said.

E-mail Zoe Tillman at ztillman@gazette.net.