Eco Terreno

In 2012, Mark witnessed a thought-provoking scene on his vineyard—while a small bird foraged nearby, a hazmat-suited worker sprayed fungicide on the vines. This stark contrast sparked a shift in Mark's thinking, one that was reinforced during a summer tour of Bordeaux’s chemical-free vineyards. Inspired by the region's nuanced wines and vibrant wildlife, he returned to his Alexander Valley vineyard, determined to embrace regenerative farming and produce wines that reflected a commitment to sustainability. Overcoming challenges like poor soil coverage and the absence of wildlife, Mark and his team set out to dispel the myths of industrial farming and became one of the few Biodynamic and organic certified vineyards in the U.S.

Mark earned a B.S. in Fermentation Science from UC Davis in 1978 and began his career at Sebastiani Vineyards in 1979. By 1985, he was in charge of harvest and the winemaking team, producing exceptional wines from Sonoma County, including his own vineyards

Aggies Uncorked Wine Club: Winter 2025

Alum: Mark Lyon ‘78 Founder and Winemaker