Mark Topel

January 11, 1945 - March 13 2022

There is no obituary, but we were able to find that Mark was a very successful defense lawyer in California.  In later years he and his wife owned a winery in California. Hazel Goldberg was able to talk to Mark's wife, Donnis and she forwarded the picture and other information to her.  

The following is from an article written about the Topels and their winery.

"Mark and Donnis Topel began planting their mountain Estate vineyards literally on their hands and knees – working out the boundaries of the planted areas. Already deeply in love with each other, they grew more and more attached to the sacred land they nurtured and cultivated. Together they portray the Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang.

He’s the accomplished trial lawyer who is a traditionalist, intellectual and historian. She’s the consummate artist and humanitarian. He sees the broad picture; she attends to every detail along the way. Their partnership is joyful as each brings their own unique attributes to work toward a common goal – to make the best wine that can be made and to do it honestly from a place of passion and devotion.

History

History, Tradition and a Minimalist Approach:

The Romans and their love of hillside grapes inspired Mark and Donnis Topel to plant their mountainside vineyards to take advantage of the unique terroir of Duncan Peak. Like the Romans, they found the Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot – best adapted to the soils, climate and topography. The rare Syrah Noir grape from the Northern Rhône region of France is also planted on the Estate. Avowed minimalists, the Topels allow their wines to evolve naturally, with no intervention, in order to achieve the maximum reflection of their birthplace.

Winery — The hidden jewel of Mendocino’s Duncan PeakStewards of Sacred Land:

The Topel Estate is on land once held sacred by the Pomo Indians. It is also part of the original land grant to General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. The property is pristine – and remains so as a result of mindful farming practices, including replenishing the vineyard vine-by-vine as a winter ritual to strengthen the immune system of the vines. The highest vineyard on Duncan Peak, Topel Mountain Estate was planted with the utmost respect for the abundant wildlife and the neighbors below.

The Topels strictly adhere to sustainable and self-renewing agricultural practices, collecting rainwater in ponds for irrigation and running their entire operation on solar energy. Their grapes are grown organically and the vineyards include a variety of fruit trees and other plantings that create a vibrant polyculture. Complemented by majestic oaks, decades–old rock walls and fences,

Topel Estate Mountain Vineyard is living art. An experienced crew, led by Vineyard Manager Manuel Nuñez, has worked the vineyards for more than 21 years insuring that each harvest is as perfect as possible regardless of the whims of nature, resulting in exquisite well-balanced wines that become even more elegant with extended aging.

Practices & Techniques

Harvest takes place when temperatures are low, which allows for cool berries. The crushed grapes immediately are placed in small, open-top fermenters to undergo a natural cold soak of about four days. The grape temperatures then rise naturally to allow a wholly indigenous yeast fermentation that lasts about 12 days. Floating grape skins form a "cap," which is punched down five times each day to oxygenate the juice and extract colors and flavors.

After fermentation is complete, the remaining skins are pressed to release as much juice as possible. The wine then goes immediately into new French oak barrels for 10 to 14 months. Once the oak component is in balance with the fruit, the wine is then moved into tight-grained, neutral French oak barrels for extended aging.

Red wines in the Topel portfolio do not touch stainless steel until the night before bottling. This is because Mark believes the wine needs to interact with wood and air. By the time it is bottled, the wine will have spent anywhere from 22 to 30 months in oak, with minimal racking." Racking beats up a wine too much," says Mark. 'I prefer to let it go its own course. 'Wine is alive,' he says. “And each vintage is like a new child. Similar to its siblings, it expresses its own unique personality, which we gently craft to allow its fullest evolution."

Sage words from a winemaker who believes Mendocino mountain grown-fruit is an embryo to be cultivated and nurtured, giving birth to exquisite wine. The Ancient Romans would be proud."

Mark and Donnis sold their winery in later years and the following is the description from the sale.

It’s much more than a home. It’s a ready-made lifestyle for a budding winemaker, a vacationer’s dream getaway, or an entrepreneurial venture.

The winery, located about two hours north of San Francisco, is the creation of vintners Markand Donnis Topel, who have poured their lives into running a winery, cultivating grapes, and producing wines for the past three decades.

The Topels built the winery in 1990 from the ground up. The two had started out in different careers before coming to wine—Mark as a San Francisco lawyer, and Donnis as an artist and chef."