Fred Wilson, Carol Wilson and Neill Bassford established Elk Run Vineyards in 1979. Two years after looking for a suitable vineyard location around the rural regions surrounding Washington, D.C., the Frederick County location was chosen. It was selected for soil composition, orientation of the land for sun exposure, altitude and its proximity to both Baltimore and D.C. and it sat on an historic property. Elk Run became a bonded winery in 1983 and is managed by Fred Wilson (viticulturist, enologist and general manager), Carol Wilson (marketing) and Neill Bassford (assistant winemaker and vineyard manager).

Fred spent several harvest seasons with Dr. Konstantine Frank in the Finger Lakes of New York and in 1980 The Wilson’s decided to pioneer the first all Vinifera Vineyard in the state. Grapes planted for whites include: Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinto Gris. Reds include: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

The name “Elk Run” was chosen for a stream. Elk Run has two vineyards. The vineyard on the winery site is referred to as Liberty Tavern Vineyard. The property sits on Liberty Road near Libertytown (named for the Sons of Liberty who met there prior to the revolution) and the house was once a tavern. In 1995 Elk Run planted the land across the street that had been original to this farm. The deed of our property on both sides of the street is registered as “The Resurvey of Cold Friday.” Cold Friday had been a land grant from the King of England to Lord Baltimore in the early 1700. The new vineyard has become known as the Cold Friday Vineyard. The total acreage is now roughly 24 acres in vine.

Years of vigilant journal keeping and attention to continued research throughout the east on new mythologies in grape growing has provided good data to help to understand the nuances of this growing region. Most recent efforts have brought Elk Run to more densely plant their vineyards. This permits a lower crop load per vine, which has shown to present better quality, and color in the wine.

Winemaker Fred Wilson has consistently received high awards from regional, national, and international wine competitions, and his wines have earned the respect and praise of wine critics worldwide.

“While my goal is to continue to increase production each year, I will not yield quality to quantity. My philosophy remains the same today as it did when I first dreamt of starting the winery, to produce high quality world class wines for the best possible price.”

Elk Run’s wines are distributed by Reliable-Churchill in Maryland and by. Washington Wholesaler in Washington D.C. As considerable interest for Elk Run wines grows in neighboring states, Elk Run will be expanding its distribution beyond Maryland borders.