Mark McWilliams owns Arista Winery in Healdsburg’s Russian River Valley. Originally from Texas, McWilliams followed his parents to Sonoma County after college and never looked back.
Amber Turpin: How did you get into wine work?
Mark McWilliams: I vividly remember one weekend I was working with La Crema and Hartford Family Winery…and it just dawned on me how incredible of an opportunity it was to be here in this renowned vineyard and hearing from these talented winemakers—it was in that moment that I decided that is what I want to do. My family founded Arista Winery in 2002…and our focus has always been to produce site-driven pinot noir and chardonnay that reflects the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley.
AT: Did you ever have an ‘aha’ moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
MM: In college, I was on a family ski trip in Colorado. One night, we had dinner with a self-professed wine collector…he ordered a bottle of pinot noir that evening…and I remember him describing the wine, the variety, the challenges of growing and producing it. Then I tried it, and I was totally enamored. It just struck me so differently than any wine I’d previously had. I was totally blown away that wine could smell, taste and feel the way that wine did. I’ll never forget that moment. Possibly the moment I fell in love with pinot noir.
AT: What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
MM: It’s always either going to be Champagne, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir or barolo. Occasionally, a sangiovese slips in. I’m a nerd for all of this, so obviously, I drink other varieties, as I love to learn and broaden my understanding. But when I’m just at home doing my life routine with my wife, it’s some combination of (those).
AT: Where do you like to go out for a drink?
MM: Does out to my backyard count as ‘out’ for a drink? We have four kids, (so) there’s very little time to go ‘out’ in this chapter of life. I will say that when we can slip out for a drink in Healdsburg, we love to go to Lo and Behold. Great cocktails, great vibe, super friendly people, and we always see other friends doing the same.
AT: If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
MM: Riesling. I’m assuming this is a tropical island, by the way. Riesling is so versatile…it goes great with seafood. It can also age for decades, in case I’m not found for a while. Lol.
Visti Arista Winery at 7015 Westside Rd., Healdsburg. aristawinery.com.
