Washington, Texas, January 9, 2026 — Chapelton Vineyards is proud to announce the appointment of Mark Schabel as General Manager and Head Winemaker, marking a pivotal milestone in the winery’s continued growth and evolution.

A nationally recognized winemaker, professor of enology, and industry consultant, Schabel brings more than 30 years of experience spanning vineyard development, cellar operations, brand building, and education. His appointment represents a strategic step forward as Chapelton builds on its early success and looks toward its next chapter.

“It’s a very exciting moment for Chapelton—possibly the most exciting since we first opened our doors a little over three years ago,” said co-founder Kurt Lyn. “Mark is joining us at exactly the right time. After more than a year and a half of searching, we are incredibly fortunate to welcome someone of his caliber and vision, and we’re thrilled he chose to bring his talents to Texas.”

Originally from Chicago, Schabel holds a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a Master’s degree from Columbia College. He has worked across both large-scale and boutique winery environments and is widely respected for his ability to manage the full winemaking lifecycle—from vineyard to bottling.

Prior to joining Chapelton, Schabel served as Head Winemaker at Ponte Winery in Temecula, California, and later as a consultant to wineries throughout California and Texas. He most recently led winemaking at Hidden Hangar Vineyard and Winery, where he played a key role in elevating the winery’s reputation within the emerging Texoma AVA. In parallel, he has taught college-level courses in viticulture, enology, winemaking, and wine analysis, and has served as enology faculty at Yavapai College.

Schabel is known for his science-driven yet expressive approach to winemaking, emphasizing balance, finesse, and site expression. His experience spans a wide range of French, Spanish, and Italian varietals, and his philosophy centers on capturing the personality of each vintage while continually refining technique through bench trials, barrel trials, and modern vineyard management practices.

As General Manager and Head Winemaker, Schabel will oversee all aspects of vineyard operations, winemaking, and production strategy, while also contributing to Chapelton’s long-term brand vision and guest experience.

With this appointment, Chapelton Vineyards reinforces its commitment to excellence and positions itself as a leading force in the evolving Texas wine landscape.