About Us
New Market Plains Vineyards is located on the former estate of Nicholas Hall, Sr., the co-founder of New Market, MD. Our farm has remained in the family since the 1760's. Vineyards were replanted in 2012 with a first vintage of 2014. Planted varieties include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Blanc, Petit Verdot and Syrah.
Our History
Originally at a size of 1500 acres the farm was procured by William Hall and a part of the old Town of New Market was carved out of the farm by his nephew Nicholas Hall Sr. in 1788. Lots then were sold in 1792 to develop the town.
Many of the old out buildings remain intact or restored, including: a stone dairy/ice house, log smoke house with a slate roof, log chicken house, log wagon shed and stable, frame general store/tenant house, early 1900's bank barn and a tile dairy barn (now the winery) built in 1941.
During the dairy operation, New Market Plains was home to the first mother and calf pair bred through A.I. in the state of Maryland.
New Market Plains is now owned and operated by Howard and Susan Wilson. Susan is a direct descendant of Nicholas Hall, Sr. and the farm is currently in it's 11th generation of family stewardship. In 2014, the first vintage was harvested; it was bottled in April 2015. The first release included Chardonnay, Rich Forest Chardonnay and Rosé.
Susan Wilson
Susan earned her Bachelors in Elementary Education/Library Science from James Madison University, and her Masters in Library Science from the University of Maryland. She is President and CEO of Wilson information Services Corporation, a library services contractor. In the winery, Susan can be found acting as co-winemaker. While growing up on the farm, Sue developed an interest in preserving the fruits of the orchard/garden. As an adult, she has maintained her ties to agriculture. She became involved with the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service as a planner and moderator for their Local Government Exchange Program. Serving as a member and chairman of the New Market Planning Commission, she wrote the first municipal Forest Conservation ordinance to be approved in Maryland. Sue also formed strategic alliances through the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Frederick program, contributing to the Agriculture Day portion of the curriculum and presenting a segment on agricultural land preservation opportunities.
Howard Wilson
Howard manages the day to day vineyard and winery operations and is co-winemaker along with Susan. He has grown grapevines on our farm since 1995, and says he has learned "a thousand things of what not to do with them." Howard has established and maintained a 68 acre Conservation Reserve Preservation area designed to enhance and protect the farm’s streambeds feeding into the Monocacy River. Some of his other experience includes: Past president of The Maryland Grape Growers Association, past town council member for The Town Of New Market and serving on the Frederick County Board of Appeals. When not on the farm or in the winery Howard enjoys messing about with antique airplanes.