Vignerons

[Sir Creep 7,071]

Robert Rue for almost 30 years they sold Russian River Valley grapes to well-known wineries: Martini & Pratti, Cline, Ravenswood and Mark West Vineyards.  In 2001, he produced the first bottles that wore the Robert Rue Winery label. In 2010, the Rues opened their own winery and tasting room.  His daughter said a cancer diagnosis led to removal of his prostate, and after the surgery he contracted sepsis, then developed the onset of dementia.  “After he woke up from surgery, my dad was never the same.  Robert Rue lost himself to Alzheimer’s disease.  He died back on July 17 at the age of 73.
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[alt obits guy 3,385]

Burt Williams, co-founder of the Williams Selyem winery, has died.  He was 79.

 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Burt-Williams-co-founder-of-Williams-Selyem-14905159.php

 

[alt obits guy 3,385]

Denis Durantou, proprietor of Bordeaux's Chateau L’Eglise Clinet, has died.

 

https://www.terredevins.com/actualites/disparition-de-denis-durantou-une-larme-sur-pomerol

(French obit)

[alt obits guy 3,385]

Demetrio Zema, the founder of Zema Estate, died in May. He was 87.  Zema, originally from Calabria, Italy, moved to Australia at age 27.  He was originally a house painter before he switched careers to become a winemaker.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-19/coonawarra-honours-demetrio-zema-one-of-regions-great-characters/12374004

 

[time 8,677]

Claude Tattinger, of the eponymous champagne brand, died last week aged 94. Took the name from a niche label to internationally known brand, and instigated the Pierre Tattinger International Culinary Prize, named after his father, the founder of the label.

[alt obits guy 3,385]

Anthony Barton, the charismatic owner of second growth Château Léoville-Barton and third growth Château Langoa-Barton, has died. He was 91. Barton was renown as one of Bordeaux’s most high profile ambassadors.

 

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/anthony-barton-legendary-bordeaux-winery-owner-dies

[Sir Creep 7,071]

Here is the full release from Tawse Winery:

 

‘It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend Paul Pender, who passed away on February 4, 2022. Paul died unexpectedly under tragic circumstances. We will all miss him more than words can express. He was not just our manager but our good friend as well.

Paul Pender joined the Tawse team in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved Ecocert organic and Demeter biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016. He earned the title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011.’

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[alt obits guy 3,385]

10 hours ago, Sir Creep said:

Here is the full release from Tawse Winery:

 

‘It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend Paul Pender, who passed away on February 4, 2022. Paul died unexpectedly under tragic circumstances. We will all miss him more than words can express. He was not just our manager but our good friend as well.

Paul Pender joined the Tawse team in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved Ecocert organic and Demeter biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016. He earned the title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011.’

SC

Those tragic circumstances may be homicide.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/man-charged-with-murder-after-popular-ontario-wine-maker-found-dead-1.5771535

[Sir Creep 7,071]

Sean Thackrey, an autodidactic polymath who, in between collecting antiquarian books, running a San Francisco art gallery and learning five languages, developed a cult following as one of California’s most intriguingly eccentric winemakers, died on May 31 in Walnut Creek, Calif. He was 79.

His former wife and longtime partner, Susan Thackrey, said the death, at a hospital, was from cancer.

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[YoungWillz 21,190]

Reports coming through that American oenophile Stuart Moss, who with his wife Sandy founded Nyetimber in 1988 has died: 

An English sparkling wine back in the 1980s - who would have thought back then it would possibly be a success?

[gcreptile 11,066]

1 hour ago, YoungWillz said:

 oenophile

Pervert!

[YoungWillz 21,190]

4 minutes ago, gcreptile said:

Pervert!

Well, he came from Chicago to shag money out of English wine drinkers! Rather successfully. 

[YoungWillz 21,190]

Report of the death of Louis-Fabrice Latour, who was running Maison Louis Latour: 

 

[Gisooo 3,464]

Mike Grgich (Wiki), Croatian-born American winemaker dead at 100

 

He is notable for being the winemaker behind the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that bested several white Burgundy wines in the wine tasting event that became known as the Judgement of Paris.

 

[alt obits guy 3,385]

Ron Mansfield, a California grapegrowing legend, died last month. He was 76. His death was being reported on March 14th.

 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/ron-mansfield-california-grape-grow-18890418.php

[alt obits guy 3,385]

John Franzia, co-founder of Bronco Wine Co., one of the largest wine companies in the world, has died. He was 84. 

 

https://www.kcra.com/article/modesto-john-franzia-bronco-wine-co-dies/60384956

[time 8,677]

Bob Gallo, son of Julio (nephew of Ernest) of the eponymous winery, has died aged 89.