For their first wedding anniversary, Emily Trout gifted Mark Ellenberger the opportunity to make his own barrel of wine—25 cases of a Syrah out in California wine country, where Ellenberger is originally from.

Fourteen years later, the couple’s passion project would grow into a full-scale business which encompasses a winery, restaurant and event space in the Houston Heights—called Mutiny Wine Room.
Ellen Trout (left) and Mark Ellenberger started the concept for Mutiny Wine Room after years of making their own wine as a hobby. (Courtesy Jenn Duncan)
Ellen Trout (left) and Mark Ellenberger started the concept for Mutiny Wine Room after years of making their own wine as a hobby. (Courtesy Jenn Duncan)
How it happened

Established in January 2020, Mutiny Wine Room became fully operational in March 2021, Ellenberger said.

Through years of making their own wine and often visiting popular wine regions around the world, the couple crafted a vision to bring small, boutique wine culture to Texas.

“The initial driving force behind opening Mutiny was to bring in wines that you couldn't get anywhere else,” Ellenberger said.


The couple combined their obsession with wine with their collective experience in logistics, business and real estate to transport Heights residents to the California wine country through the senses of sight and taste.
Mutiny Wine Room just celebrated its fifth anniversary in January 2025. They have their own brand of wine, called Kagan Cellars, named after the owners' old boat. (Courtesy Becca Wright)
Mutiny Wine Room just celebrated its fifth anniversary in January 2025. They have their own brand of wine, called Kagan Cellars, named after the owners' old boat. (Courtesy Becca Wright)
What to expect

Mutiny Wine Room functions as a wine tasting room, a farmhouse restaurant and private event space called the cellar room, Ellenberger said. There are typically 45-50 choices of wine on their menu.

On the restaurant side, Mutiny’s food program has the seasonality of California-based cuisine, but with a Texas twist, Ellenberger said.

Additionally, Ellenberger heads an educational wine maker series where once a month he teaches a small group about different regional and varietal wines. Executive Chef Eduardo Alcayaga curates a food menu to pair with the wines.


What's special about it

Alcayaga came to be the creative director and executive chef for Mutiny Wine Room through the owner’s connections with a restaurant they love outside of Sonoma, California, called the Glen Ellen Star.

Alcayaga draws from his Chilean heritage, the influence of California wine country, and the culinary aspects of Houston and Texas to create some of the most popular dishes on Mutiny’s menu, he said.
The Chilean ceviche ($21) pairs well with Chardonnay, Mark Ellenberger said. (Courtesy Becca Wright)
The Chilean ceviche ($21) pairs well with Chardonnay, Mark Ellenberger said. (Courtesy Becca Wright)
These include caviar hush puppies, Chilean ceviche, and the ranch board—a charcuterie board made with cuts of wild game, including venison sausage, stuffed roasted pheasant and bison.

“People that come here, come from different walks of life [and they] want to enjoy different kinds of things,” Alcayaga said. “We take that concept and we meld it with the California philosophy of cooking. It's more ingredient-driven; it's refined, yet down-home.”


What's next

Ellenberger said Mutiny Wine Room is focused on welcoming more people in the neighborhood in 2025 by implementing some menu changes and more events that cater to a wider range of people.

"Our biggest thing was to create a community, a group of people who enjoy wine, enjoy good food and just have fun with it," Ellenberger said.