Topel Winery

Topel Winery
125 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, California
USA 95448
Phone: 707-433-4116
http://www.topelwines.com/

Contact: Donnis Topel
Email: [email protected]

Topel Winery and its Hidden Vineyard are perched on the east side of Duncan Peak — 1400 feet above the Sanel Valley floor and just south of Hopland in southern Mendocino County. It is here, above the fog line, that owners Mark and Donnis Topel have planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah on the steep, rocky slopes.

Adhering to organic and biodynamic agriculture practices, the Topels tend the vines year-round, coaxing each to produce moderate grape yields with intense flavors.But that all changed with a Napa Valley criminal case. As the lead defense attorney, Mark spent a significant amount of time in Wine Country and became friends with several well-known winemakers. They learned about his love of French wines, his extensive wine collection and his very special property outside Hopland.

“They told me that Hopland was a great place to grow Cabernet Sauvignon because it was warm, like Napa. Several came out to take a first-hand look at the property and they said it was a perfect spot — multiple exposures across the side of the mountain and crappy soil — absolutely ideal conditions to get the best flavors imaginable,” he said. Mark and his wife, Donnis, staked out the first vineyard themselves, often crawling under low-lying brush to set the borders. “One thing led to another and before we knew it, vines were planted and I was auditing winemaking classes at U.C.-Davis.” While Mark is the winemaker, Donnis is the marketing guru and the administrative glue —and takes an active part in winemaking as well. “She has a tremendous aesthetic sense that impacts everything she touches,” said Mark. “Her background in cooking is a remarkable asset, especially when it comes to blending the wines.”

In 1996, Topel Winery released its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from the aptly named “Hidden Vineyard.” Today, Topel also produces Syrah, Pinot Noir, Meritage, a special Red Table Wine, Gamay and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are rich, laden with highly extracted fruit flavors, yet perfectly balanced — reflecting the nuances of climate, soil, rootstocks and clones in artful combinations.

Winemaker: Mark Topel

Update Winery information  Submit new wines to be posted  Wineries of America