1983 Mark Hadfield participating in a Bastille Day waiter’s race in downtown Chicago.

Mark Hadfield, Owner & Founder, Wine With Me

​

Mark is a 29 - year veteran of the wine trade. I have traveled four continents to see wineries and dine on the local fare. How did I get here? Well, in 1986 I moved to New York City to run a new flagship restaurant named One Main at Fulton Landing, a California cuisine restaurant just two blocks from the famed River Café. It was there that I caught the wine bug. New York was a great market to be in for wine. I got a chance to meet so many wine people and taste most everything offered. After two years I left New York and returned to Chicago to open up another restaurant. Things went well, but I really felt that wine was where I needed to focus. So, in 1991 I decided to leave the restaurant business to concentrate on wine. As they say timing is everything, as it was here that I received a call from a friend from my restaurant days; he had moved over to the wine distribution side and called to ask if I would be interested in selling wine. He also told me that I would never get rich in the wine business, but I could eat and drink like a king. Seemed like a good trade off.

Throughout these wine years, I’ve had the chance to meet, dine with, and visit many of the Who’s Who of the wine world, the “rock stars” if you will. Today, there are so many fond memories from all the great glasses of wine, places I’ve visited, friends I’ve made and the ensuing humor that seems to find me.

​

What are your favorite wines?

I really don't have a favorite. Everyday has its own personality, so does wine. One day is great for a Rose, the next maybe a Cabernet Sauvignon. Food is such an important part of the equation. Wine is a condiment to food, so I really enjoy trying different wines to pair with food. But if I had to pick viticultural areas, I'd say Alsatian Pinot Gris and Riesling, Rose from Provence, Red Burgundy, wines from Piedmont and Brunello from Tuscany. And there are days when a northern California Cabernet just hits the spot. So, I guess the answer is let's pop a cork and go with what's in front of us.

What is it about serving wine that you enjoy?

Wine is a tactile product. It naturally brings people together.

It's the camaraderie that makes it worth the time.

What do you like best about working at Wine With Me?

When we were doing the build out, I thought to myself "what will happen in these walls?" There have been many surprises, too numerous to mention. The real joy comes from watching a client try something new, and seeing the energy of acceptance. We've garnered so many truly phenomenal clients. So many have become friends that we share time outside of WWM. 

​