Our Founder

With a background in international business, Melanie Marks has had the opportunity to travel extensively and explore wines from around the world, becoming well-versed on several varietals of wine, as well as the wine-making process itself.

On one of her many trips, her love of wine became forever tied with her other passion. An avid diver, Melanie was introduced to the plight of the Great White Shark while accompanying a research team on dives off the coast of South Africa. Most people have a life-changing moment, and this was hers. Experiencing these endangered creatures up close left her a changed person. She felt forever connected to their plight and had to find a way to be involved in their conservation.

During this trip, she also took time to visit wineries on days when the weather was too rough to dive. It was over a glass of chardonnay one evening that the inspiration for her first wine, and the concept of donating profits to support shark conservation, were born. Her idea grew into Shark Trust Wines, encompassing a wider selection of wines and highlighting additional endangered sharks.

Melanie is one of those people who love life. Her goal is to spread that enthusiasm by providing people with the chance to discover good wine with a great mission. If you ever have the opportunity to talk with her, you’ll find her zeal for wine is infectious – and her passion for sharks contagious - so watch out, because before you know it, you’ll be hooked.