By Regina Lyons

Tucked into rural Frederick County lies Elk Run Vineyards, a Maryland renowned winery, that since 1983, has been producing an extensive variety of quality wines.

Fred Wilson, Carol Wilson, and Neill Bassford began the project in 1979, and four years later Elk Run became a bonded winery. It was the first all-vinifera vineyard in Maryland.

Fred Wilson never received a formal education in winemaking, but rather, he learned from experience. Wilson did, however, study and learn from the Finger Lakes’ Dr. Konstantin Frank, a man Wilson refers to as “the forerunner for all the vinifera types of grapes on the East Coast.”

After harvesting grapes with Frank for several seasons, Wilson decided that if he could get through hardships with Frank, then he could surely make it in the wine industry on his own.

“Learning the wine business was a matter of reading, talking to people, making mistakes, and not making the same mistake twice,” says Wilson. “I think our ability to stick with it, learn, and try to make better wine is what has led to our success.”

Elk Run—which was named after a local stream—has two vineyards totaling 24 acres in Mt. Airy. It is a winery that prides itself on quality and excellence, which is evident from its 16 different wines. Elk Run’s owners are not afraid to experiment to get the quality that they expect. Wilson’s winemaking philosophy is simple: “Don’t sell a bad wine.”

Wilson plans to continue producing superior wines. “I think that now, wineries are really positioning themselves to make very good wines,” says Wilson. “We’re just going to continue what we’re doing and try to make the best wine we can.”

For more information on Elk Run Vineyards and Maryland wine, please log onto www.marylandwine.com/mwa/wineries/elkrun.shtml.