Mark Middlebrook is an Oakland-based wine professional with experience spanning wine retail, importing, buying, and writing. His background includes a decade at Paul Marcus Wines before moving into importing, working first with Spanish wines and later Italian wines through PortoVino.

At Paul Marcus Wines, Mark is listed as the buyer for German, Austrian, and Central and Eastern European wines. His broader interests include Italy’s regional wines, indigenous grape varieties, and the connections between wine, food, and place.

As a judge at USA Wine Ratings, Mark brings a buyer’s perspective and experience across European wine regions, contributing practical insight into wine selection and consumer appeal.