Our Story
David Galzignato
David Galzignato has always had a passion for life. Originally from Hayward, California, David embraced his Italian heritage and his grandfather’s love of good food and good wine. He took that passion to UC Davis where, as the first in his family to graduate from college, he completed two winemaking internships prior to graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology and a Bachelor of Arts in Italian. After graduation, David’s plan was to gather winemaking “intel” by working at larger wineries so that he could then pursue his real dream of working as a “cult” style winemaker in a small boutique winery.
After working as a cellar intern in Italy in 1998, David moved everything he owned to Washington State to work at Columbia Crest. He credits his winemaking mentor, Columbia Crest’s Ray Einberger, with instilling in him both a rigorous attention to detail and the thrill of experimentation. David then moved to Kendall Jackson as an enologist. However, in the absence of an assistant winemaker, David was given the opportunity to hone his skills with numerous grape varietals across a multitude of appellations. This experience prepared him for his next the position as assistant winemaker at Charles Krug Winery. In his first year at Charles Krug, David worked with 3rd generation Chateau Latour Cellar Master and Charles Krug Winemaking consultant Denis Malbec. During his six years at Charles Krug, David was promoted to winemaker and, along with his team, transformed their wines, producing the winery’s first 92 and 95 point wines from wine writer Robert Parker.
Now, after 14 years in the wine industry, David has achieved his original goal and has held the title of winemaker for boutique wineries Landy Family Vineyards, Paraduxx/Duckhorn Vineyards, Lewis Cellars, and Mark David Winery, which have all fueled his passion for small-lot winemaking. David’s winemaking style is on the edge between rogue and classic. He uses “cult” winemaking techniques combined with French and Italian winemaking finesse. David believes that dense, seductive, and “over the top” wines can still be balanced, integrated and refined.
Mark McWilliams
After graduating from the University of Texas - Austin with a degree in Corporate Communications, Mark took his first job out of college working for Kendall Jackson Wine Estates. During his time with KJ, Mark held various vineyard and cellar positions. What started as a temporary summer job developed into a passion as Mark enrolled in UC Davis Wine and Viticulture courses, tasting groups, and annoyed his winemaker friends with endless questions. One of those friends was David Galzignato, then an assistant winemaker at Kendall Jackson. The two friends began discussing the idea of staring a label together and quickly discovered a shared love of Cabernet Franc. In the summer of 2005, Mark David Winery was established and that autumn saw the first harvest from Pine Mountain Vineyard.
Mark is also part owner, with his father and brother, of Arista Winery, a boutique brand focused on small lot, Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley. Mark lives in Healdsburg, California with his wife Jennifer and their sons Jake and Pierce.