The idea of starting a vineyard after leaving a high-profile position was inspired by a TV show, even though none of his immediate family members were wine drinkers.
Before this, André Hueston Mack had modestly started a career in the culinary industry at McDonald’s before deciding to become a server at Red Lobster in San Antonio, Texas. Despite his lack of knowledge of the wine business, he placed his hopes in his ability to pick up the fundamentals by watching a television program featuring two wine-snob brothers who demonstrated how to taste wines like a 1961 bottle of Château Haut-Brion Bordeaux.
As a result, Mack decided to apply for a job at a steakhouse, where he learned how to taste wine and learned about its geography, history, and biology. He diligently mastered the craft, successfully applied for a sommelier diploma, and demonstrated competence in his field of interest to win a prestigious prize in 2003. This paved the route for his job at The French Laundry, one of California’s top eateries. He had to learn a 64-page wine list while working effortlessly to perfect it because of the demanding job environment he was in.
When he was appointed head sommelier at Per Se, Thomas Keller’s brand-new restaurant at the time, Mack experienced his professional breakthrough. Although it was entertaining at first to see people sample their wine and interact with them about their experiences, he felt it wasn’t rewarding enough. According to Microsoft, the native of San Antonio, Texas, desired even another more difficult experience, so he quit his position at Per Se and started his vineyard in Oregon in 2007.
Mack created his wine labels and other accessories using his graphic design talents because he couldn’t afford the $25,000 estimate a graphic designer gave him for the design of his labels. Intriguingly, while learning the craft of winemaking, he also taught himself the art of graphic design. As a result, he is now one of the best Black winemakers and graphic designers, leading the Oregon-based Mouton Noir Wines, which combines his wine culture with a hip-hop and wine-subculture feel.
The self-taught winemaker does not regret leaving his position at Per Se because that bold decision allowed him to express his creativity. He was able to diversify, and today he and his family live in Brooklyn and run seven established enterprises. According to Printmag.com, Mack has so far written about his experience in a cookbook coloring book and a memoir titled 99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s Guide to Wines.