Mark the Mad Scientist Behind Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery

Nestled in the quiet countryside of Eaton, Ohio after a long drive past small quiet towns and farmers markets, right when you feel like if you run out of gas it could potently be a problem that is when you find a little piece of magic.

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery is exactly what it sounds like: Preble County’s very first winery, thoughtfully housed inside a beautifully renovated original schoolhouse. When I visited, they were putting the finishing touches on a new patio space, just in time for summer.

But this story isn’t just about the place. It’s about the person behind it.

I first met Mark at the Glass City Wine Festival in Toledo. Out of all the vineyard owners I met that day, Mark was the one who left a lasting impression. Maybe it was his easygoing personality. Maybe it was the fact that he pulled off the only successful mullet I’ve ever seen in real life. But really, it was his passion for the process, the product, and the people who drink the wine he makes that set him apart. As he poured me sample after sample he not only filled my glass but he poured his passion out.

There was a kind of quiet precision in the way he spoke about his wines. A craftsman’s devotion, wrapped in humility. “I’m just a guy in Preble County making wine,” he told me. But after touring his production facility and seeing the thought, effort, and intention that goes into every bottle, it’s clear: Mark is much more than that. He’s a maker in the truest sense of the word. He joked with me about starting his wine making journey at only thirteen years old after sitting board in science class. He had always had a passion for chemistry even though his schooling never took him in that direction. He wanted a more hands on approach.

Every pour reflects his dedication to getting it just right, not for the accolades, but because he cares deeply about the experience his wines offer. As we talked he said how every wine maker has a touch that makes their wine unique. What he is making at this small vineyard isn't just alcoholic juice, his wines don't have to be sweet to taste good, what he is making lingers on your palette and truly gives you a journey through taste.

And that’s when I knew, from the moment I shook his hand, that I had to visit Eaton. I had to see where the magic happens. When you first pull up it seems very small and cozy but once I stepped inside I was amazed at how Mark transformed the space into a functional tasting room and production space that utilized every square foot.

Whether you’re sipping under the schoolhouse eaves or soon lounging on their new patio, one thing is certain, Mark’s wine isn’t just something you taste. It’s something you feel.

This was only my first visit and I am truly looking forward to going back when grapes are on the vine to talk more about his production and wines. For now I am happy to have met Mark and learn about what got him started and about the building that he has made into his winery.

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