Mark grew up in Hilmar, California, an agricultural community southwest of Modesto and was actively involved in raising livestock for the Future Farmers of America. He raised many a champion, each win helping him pay for an agronomy degree at community college. A harvest job with Gallo changed the direction of his career and life abruptly. He so enjoyed the work that he transferred to Fresno State and changed his major to Viticulture. He continued working for Gallo while attending school and after graduation they promoted him to Production Supervisor.
In 1989 a former colleague wooed him away from the Central Valley to Sebastiani in Sonoma and 10 months later they made him their Cellar Master. On a quest to learn as much as possible about making super-premium wines, he went to Kendall-Jackson where he worked as their Assistant Winemaker. Through Kendall-Jackson he met Myron Holdenried, and the excellent reputation of his grapes led Mark to Wildhurst Vineyards as consulting enologist where he was able to customize his ideal workspace, given his years of hands-on training working his way from the cellar to winemaker.
Mark’s exposure to many different winemaking techniques over the years has helped him develop his own personal style. Chacewater wines are exceptional because of Mark’s creativity and vision.