WINE EDUCATOR & CONSULTING SOMMELIER

SERVICES

What We Offer

WINE EDUCATION CLASSES

Wine tasting experiences, Colorado wine expertise, Global wine exploration.

WINE CONSULTANCY

Consulting services for wine selection and curation of elevated wine experiences.

OUR WORK

Wine Education Classes

Explore the world of wine with Vino di Marco! Whether you're interested in enhancing your holiday gatherings with our Holiday Wine Class, discovering the perfect rosé in our Rosé Wine Class, or mastering the art of pairing food and wine in our Food Pairing Wine Class, we've got something for everyone. Hover on each image to learn more and join us for an unforgettable experience. Cheers!

The arrival of South American wines in the United States marketplace has been relatively recent. Big financial investment into their wine industry and the development of world-class talent has made South America a wine force to be reckoned with. It is indeed a thrilling time to be involved in the South American wine industry. They are proud people. The aromas and flavors of their wines are unique. They do not choose to copy European wines. There is a new air of confidence in South America and it is well deserved.

Australia's unique climate and landscape has fostered a fiercely independent wine scene, home to a vibrant community of growers and winemakers. Australia has more than 100 grape varietals across 65 wine regions. Australia has the freedom to make exceptional wine and they make it their way. Australia is not bound by tradition, but continue to push the winemaking boundaries in the pursuit of some of the most diversely thrilling wines in the world.

Austria is considered by many experts to be one of the best wine secrets in Europe. Austria has a wealth of indigenous grapes and quality conscious family producers. Austria is now producing some of Europe's most consistently good, high quality wines from unique indigenous varietals. If you are looking to expand your wine horizons with food friendly wines -this is the class.

French wines are celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality and their distinctive expression of terrior. In this class we will investigate everything from the refined Pinot Noir from Burgundy to Bordeaux's robust Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. We will have fun exploring the wide spectrum of French wine flavor that is intimately tied to the unique wine regions. While we learn and taste the world the French wines we will also consider their perfect food pairings.

Germany has been producing wine for nearly 2 millennia. In this class we will become acquainted with the 13 major German wine regions and discovered many new German grapes.
Most of us have tasted a German Riesling, and other German whites, but more than a third of German vineyards are planted with red varietals. If you are a Pinot Noir fan you need to dive into German red wine. German red wine is known for its distinctive red spice and refreshing acidity. German reds are an ideal food pairing wine. In this class we will how discover the German wine industry is focused on innovation to create a brighter future

Italy competes with France on a year-to-year basis for the title of world's leading producer of wine. Italy produces the full spectrum of wine from whites, reds, dry, sweet, still, sparkling and fortified. Italy is blessed with diversity in culture, food and wine and has a wider selection of wine than anywhere else in the world. Italy produces unique wines that are not seen anywhere else in the world. It is an exciting time for Italian wine. Italian wine is at its highest demand level of all time and critics are praising it for its very unique flavor. If you are ready to discover Italian wines, this class is for you. You will feel Italy’s passion for hospitality, art and food.

New Zealand wine production has grown by 17 percent per year from 2000 to the present. New Zealand exports 90% of its production primarily to the United States and Britain and Australia. Over the last 20 years New Zealand has been producing outstanding white wines and have garnered international acclaim. New Zealand has won major international awards.
Although New Zealand has long been known for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, recently New Zealand's Pinot Noir is drawing comparisons to Burgundy. The complexity of a New Zealand Pinot Noir is a testament to the skills and craft of New Zealand wine producers.

It seems that everyone today is amazed by the great values you can find in Portugal wine. Portugal stands out for its large array of native varietals, producing a great diversity of wine .Portugal is home to many great varietals not grown anywhere else in the world Portugal is the seventh largest exporter of wine worldwide. Wine critics feel that Portugal may be the last frontier of wine in Western Europe. With all of this excitement for Portugal, this class will explore the major wines and regions of Portugal.

In the 19th century, South Africa wines were highly sought after by the European elite. Today South Africa has reemerged on the world stage. This class will take you on a journey of the regions and the land of the Cape to show why once again South Africa is producing international award winning wines. The grape varietals and the wine styles of South Africa that are winning accolades on the world stage will be the framework of the class.

There is currently a wine industry revolution occurring in Spain and is easily the biggest international wine story of the last 10 years. Spain has gone from a bulk wine producer to a high quality favorite in short order. Spain has won hundreds of awards in prestigious international wine competitions. Spain is a very big player in the international wine market with over $3 billion of exports annually. As is the case with most of our classes, we will cover the diverse climate, terroir and wine in Spain.

As a wine lover, how do you evaluate the quality of the wine. During tasting sessions in the past, you may have asked, "how do I know how to identify a quality wine in an objective way?" This wine sensory class teaches the evaluation of the aroma flavors and characteristics of different styles of wine.
Learning how to do an objective sensory evaluation provides a better understanding of wine taste and texture. This class will cover the tools and techniques to become an expert wine sensor.

This class teaches the simple science behind food and wine pairing based on a basic understanding of the sense of taste. You will learn the fundamentals about how the taste components of sweet, sour, spice, bitter, and fat work together and then pair them with wine by letting the characteristics of the food suggest your wine.

New wine & food ideas for the holidays. Vino di Marco presents creative, yet classic, wine and food choices for a memorable holiday season. Wine and food from Christmas traditions around the world are the inspiration for this class.

The word terroir comes from the French word meaning Earth or land. Over the centuries, French winemakers have developed the concept of terroir by observing the differences in wine quality, aroma and flavor from different regions. The concept of terroir is described as the unique aspect of a place that influences and shapes the wine made from that place. In this class, we will cover the aspects of terroir including climate, soil type, topography, landscape, surrounding plants, mountains, valleys, elevation and bodies of water. You will learn how this set of environmental factors affects the quality of grapes and therefore the wine.

In the enduring popularity of Rose ‘ wine. Rose is certainly having a moment. We normally associate rose with sun-kissed terraces, beachside bars, and patios.
This class is proud to present the many different styles of rose wine. Rose can have a very complex flavor profiles and can be the right wine for many occasions and cuisines. This class explores the new generation of rose wine.

It’s that magical time of year in Western Colorado when all of our delicious fruits and vegetables come on. Mark will walk you through how to pair the perfect wine with our amazing local bounty.

Patio pleasers are those beverages that are perfect for enjoying time with friends on warm summer days. Whether you want to prolong your summer beverage staying power or just keep things bright crisp and fresh you won't want to miss our porch pounder wine recommendations. Get ready for those upcoming warm spring and summer days and evenings by exploring a whole new world of patio wines.

Upcoming Events with Vino di Marco

Monthly classes hosted at

Re-starting in 2025! Join us at SIPS on Main in Cedaredge, Colorado for an unforgettable wine class, where fine wine meets incredible food in a fun and engaging learning environment. Explore the nuances of various wines expertly paired with delectable dishes, all while enhancing your wine knowledge in a relaxed, social setting.

Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, our class offers a delightful experience for everyone. Raise your glass and savor the journey!

ABOUT US

Meet Mark

Wine Educator

Level 2 Sommelier

Hospitality Expert

Community Advocate

Avid Golfer

The man behind the name, Mark Condon, is a passionate advocate of Colorado wines and a global ambassador for unique wine-tasting experiences. Mark is dedicated to sharing the story of exceptional wines and supporting the community.

Becoming a wine sommelier was a natural progression for Mark. His mother’s family made wine in Italy, and they carried their love for extraordinary hospitality with them to the United States. Mark remembers fondly the lavish parties they would throw. He would taste the beverages being served and soak in all the comments about them. His knowledge grew as he pursued a hospitality career after graduating from the University of Denver.

Certifications

Wine Certificate - UC Davis

Argentina Certificate - Wine Folly

Wines of South Africa Association Certificate

Happy Clients & Partners

"Since Mark arrived to the area, the community awareness of local wine producers and wine education in general has grown exponentially. That along with his restaurant management background, he has helped many businesses raise the quality of the local experience."

Bret Neal, Stoney Mesa Winery Winemaker & Owner