Our Wine Maker

Mark was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and is an avid Badger fan. Mark developed the taste for wine while working with two Sommeliers in Chicago.  Over the span of his 28 year career, he has had the opportunity to expand his knowledge and experience by working with fifteen winemaking or viticulture consultants and over eighty different wine labels.  While attending U. C. Davis Viticulture and Enology, Mark cut his teeth in the Cellar and Lab.  Upon graduating, Mark started at Scheid in Monterey County as a hands-on assistant winemaker.  In Temecula, he served as the winemaker four and half years at Ponte Winery and has been consulting throughout the wine industry for the last six years. 

Mark has started the Wine Maker’s Challenge program at Hidden Hangar Vineyard and Winery as a way to give back to aspiring winemakers.  He relishes challenges and Texas winegrowing and winemaking has offered some of the greatest and most rewarding of his career.  Hidden Hangar is proud to adapt Mark to Texas lifestyle as he converts Texans to enjoying some really great home grown Texas wines. Cheers y'all.