Mark A. Kaufman is, undoubtedly, the most titled Russian wine trader and wine expert, Academician with the International Viticulture and Viniculture Academy.

He was born on May12, 1963 in Moscow; graduated from the Moscow Electrical Institute of Communications. In 1992, Mr. Kaufman founded Whitehall Company which by the end of the 90s turned into the most important importer and distributor of elite wines and strong beverages.

Mark A. Kaufman was the first in Russia to make the decision to import New World wines. In 1992, Whitehall Company started importing wines of California; in 1994 wines of Chile; in the end of the 90s wines of Argentina and then wines of New Zealand and Australia. In 2000, he worked out his own wine collecting principles and launched a new project entitled Kauffman Private Collection in the Russian market.

Today, this unique collection comprises over two thousand exquisite wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, North and South Americas and the best vintage Armagnacs, Whiskeys and Cognacs.

Kauffman Private Collection is just one of several varied projects undertaken by Mark Kaufman in the recent years. To mention just one, he started production of the unique in the world vintage vodka Kauffman (Mark has 11 patents for its recipe); defended a thesis on viniculture economy; founded charity Kauffman-Fund with the main goal to support Russian science, education and culture.

The activities of Mark Kaufman have been noted on the governmental level. In 2002, the Government of France awarded him with the title of chevalier of the Merite Agricole order of France.

In 2003, President of Chile Mr. Ricardo Lagos awarded him the title of commander of Bernardo O'Higgins Order which is the highest Chilean award for foreigners. He was also awarded with a number of meritorious titles, such as Commandeur d`Honneur de la Commanderie du Bontemps de Medoc et des Graves; Officier d'Honneur d'Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne; Member of The Keepers of the Quaich and chevalier of the Maecenas Order.

Being a tireless propagandist of wine culture, Mark Kaufman founded a national branch of the International Wine & Food Society and published over these years more than 50 scientific and popular articles, textbooks and books on wine.

In 2000, Mark Kaufman was elected a Corresponding Member and in 2001 a Full Member (Academician) of the International Viticulture and Viniculture Academy (l'Academie International de la Viticulture et la Viniculture), and in 2005 he was elected Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Viticulture and Viniculture of CIS Intergovernmental Council for Agricultural Industry Complex.