Meet Mark

Introducing Mark who has worked for us now since January 2018, he works at both our Restaurant 32 by The Hollies on Tarporley High Street and at 59 at The Hollies. His biggest passion is wine, and we wanted to find out a bit more.

His first job in the early 80’s at the age of 21 was working at a Restaurant with a Wine sommelier. The owner’s enthusiasm about different wines encouraged him to get involved with learning more about this unique industry. In his younger days, Mark reminisces about trying many different high-quality wines, which he said he felt extremely lucky to have tasted. Such as First Growth Clarets and a Wine of Domaine de la romanée-conti. This is what got him hooked, he described them as ‘heavenly’ tasting.

He has visited many places all over the world that are renowned for their wine production. Such as Napa Valley California, all down the West Coast of America. South Africa, France, Northern Italy, Southern Germany and Eastern France. He told us that the next place on his agenda is Chile.

We asked him what his favorite wine was, he said that it all depends on the occasion, where you are, who you are with and the atmosphere. However, at the moment he really likes the obscure native grapes of Sicily and Italy. What Mark really loves about wine is that it is an ever-changing scene, it is constantly developing.

Due to his vast knowledge on wines, Mark is responsible for all the ordering for our Restaurants and the Deli Bar in the Farm Shop. Next time you see him, say hello and ask him to recommend one of our fabulous wines.