Since May 2003 Mark Svrcek, has hosted over 9000 guests at Antietam Overlook Farm. Many of the guests return time and time again to enjoy the special feeling, the wonderful food, and the gracious hospitality that they have come to expect. With the unexpected loss of Rudy his partner, some adjustments had to be made and an InnKeeper / Chef had to be found. As luck would have it, Mark hired and has become good friends with Philip Graham-Bell. Mark and Phil now carry on what Barbara and John Dreisch started over 20 years ago.

(Owner / InnKeeper) Mark, born in Washington DC, and raised in a family of six children, was the youngest. He grew up in a modest home in Wheaton, MD, just north of the DC line. Mark attended the University of Maryland in College Park. While at the University, he started a business with his brother and a few years later at the age of 23, became a REALTOR. As his business grew, Mark opened a RE/MAX franchise in Kensington, MD. In 1998, he expanded the business into Investment Advisory services and works with the Capital Financial Group / H. Beck headquarted in Rockville, MD. Shortly after getting involved in the investment business, On a weekend get together with friends, Mark and his late partner Rudy visited some Maryland Wineries and the dream was born.

(InnKeeper and Executive Chef) Philip Graham-Bell is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University’s Culinary Program, class of 2003.  Through his externship in Holland Philip achieved the Chef de Partie certificate from the School of Gastronomie in Amsterdam.  Once completeing his studies, Philip joined the Outback Steakhouse franchise in Dartmouth MA as a chef and kitchen manager for three years.  From there, Philip moved back to his home town of Mechanicsburg PA and began focusing on fine dining, working in the acclaimed Char’s Bella Mundo in Harrisburg PA.  Soon after that Philip became the executive chef of the Appalaichian Brewing Company in Mechanicsburg PA. Philip then joined Antietam Overlook in mid 2007 and also consults for the Antietam Cafe and Wine bar.

It was in the search for land to plant a future vineyard that brought Mark to the gates of Antietam Overlook Farm B&B. The beauty, views, and potential has given him a foundation to take what Barbara and John started and make it his own. A quest to start a vineyard brought us by accident to become Innkeepers.