Mark Friszolowski

Events

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Presents Bubbles + Bites
Certified SC Grown + Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine Present BBQ, Blues + Brew
Skirt! magazine presents Shop, Sip + Savor (formerly King Street Sip + Stroll)
Winery:Childress Vineyards
Address:Lexington, NC
Website: www.childressvineyards.com

Mark is General Manager and Winemaker of Childress Vineyards, overseeing the 35,000 square-foot winery operations and 100 acres of vineyards.

One of the most award-winning winemakers in America today, Mark has received hundreds of medals and his wines have been twice named to the 50 Best Wines of the World.

A native of Long Island, Mark has been making wine commercially since 1986. He came to Childress Vineyards from the East Coast wine making region of Long Island, an area he helped establish. There, he rose from Cellar master to Winemaker/General Manager and Director of Vineyard Operations at Pindar Estates Winery with 650 acres of vines and production of over 100,000 cases annually while simultaneously running it’s sister winery with production of 30,000 cases. Mark has experience in winemaking from various parts of the world, from Eastern Europe, South Africa, and California -under famed California enologist Dimitri Tchelistcheff.   For the past 13 years, Friszolowski has also served as a worldwide consultant to wineries in the U.S. and Soviet Georgia and barrel cooperages from South Africa to Australia. His consultation includes work with overseas producers and importers from Italy, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand. Among his creations is a liquor blend called Hpnotiq, which Wine Enthusiasts calls the biggest success story in spirits in the last 5 years.

At the age of 52, Mark is qualified in all aspects of wine production from grape growing to winemaking as well as marketing. He has consulted worldwide with various wineries, barrel cooperages, producers and importers.

Mark holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biology from State University of New York, plus degrees in Classical Literature from Hofstra University and International Relations from Columbia University. Mark spent time in Bordeaux, France at Pichon Lalande, and earned his Oenology degree from University of Bordeaux.  He is frequently called to judge wine competitions, participate in industry symposiums, and teach winemaking and viticulture.

Mark has played a very instrumental role in promoting NC wines since coming on board with Childress.  He currently serves as Treasury of the NC Winegrower’s Association, and serves as Vice Chair with the NC Grape Council.

An avid runner, reader, and former intercollegiate windsurfing champion, Friszolwoski is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army National Guard Reserves. In this capacity, he was involved in the initial clean-up process at the World Trade Center following 9/11.

Since his inception at Childress Vineyards in 2003, Mark has won over 600 awards for Childress Vineyards.   Recent accolades include the past 4 Governor’s Cup / Best in Show awards @ the NC State Fair Wine Competition, Best Red Wine @ The Mid-Atlantic Wine Competition, and Best Red @ Wines of the South Competition. Most recently, Childress Vineyards was recently awarded the Vineyard of Excellence award from the NC Winegrower’s Association.