Mario learned artisanal viticulture and winemaking in his childhood directly from his family in Piedmont, Italy.  He developed a passionate taste for the vintner’s art and an appreciation for the best wine of the globe in his many peregrination around the world from Italy, to France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Australia, Argentina, South Africa and California. In 2000 he founded, with his brother Joe, Mankas Hills Vineyards, a leading producer of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Suisun Valley in California. The brands of Cabernet Sauvignon developed by Mankas Hills Vineyards earned great recognition at many international wine competitions and enjoyed a wide acceptance and distribution in the United States. Many brand developers in California and other states also enjoyed supplies of bulk Cabernet Sauvignon sourced directly from Mankas Hills Vineyards. During this period, the Suisun Valley AVA, where Mankas Hills produced its grapes evolved into a well recognized producer of prime Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2010 Mario Rosso also started importing into California a select portfolio of artisan wines from small wineries in the Langhe Hills of Piedmont, Italy complementing the production of Californian Cabernet Wine.