By
Joy Neighbors
Once
again, it is time to look back on the year and remember those in the industry
who have passed. Salute!
January
 |
| Bob Oatley |
He
was well known for his Rosemount Estate wines but Bob Oatley was also one of
Australia’s richest businessmen. Oatley died January 10 in Pittwater, New South
Wales, Australia. He began in the wine industry in 1968 with Rosemount Estate
and continued until he sold the winery in 2001 for $1.4 billion. Robert Oatley
Vineyards became the next step in the Oatley family winemaking dynasty. Their wine empire boasts about 40 wine brands
including Robert Oatley Signature Series, Wild Oates and Bare Foot. Bob Oatley was 87 years old.
February
 |
| Peter Mondavi |
Napa
Valley Wine pioneer Peter Mondavi died February 20 at his home in St. Helena,
California. It was Peter, and his brother Robert, who convinced their father to
purchase the dilapidated Charles Krug winery in 1943. The brothers took Krug
and established it as an early industry leader of quality wines in Napa Valley.
But resentment began to build between the two and in 1965 they parted ways.
Peter was known in the wine industry for innovating the process of cold fermentation to keep whites
fresh longer, and creating a more sterile filtration system, which helped
prevent spoilage. The brothers reconciled in 2005, just three years before
Robert died. Peter said his greatest accomplishment was keeping Charles Krug
Winery whole. Peter Mondavi was 101.
March
 |
| Henri Bonneau |
Henri
Bonneau, one of the most regaled winemakers of Chateauneuf-du-Pape died on
March 21 in Marseille, France. Bonneau was an expert at blending other grape
varieties with Grenache, creating stunning wines that captivated the palate.
Bonneau had little time for upkeep and sterile facilities, his love was in the
creation of the wine, which showed in the masterful vinos he produced, albeit in small
batches, which only made them all the more desirable. Bonne died of
complications due to diabetes. He was 77 years old.
April
 |
| Manuel Lozano |
The
industry lost one of the world’s greatest fortified winemakers in April. Manuel Lozano
died April 26 of complications from a medical procedure. Lozano was the head
winemaker and chief enologist for Bodega Lustau Sherries and Brandies, joining
the company in 1999. Lozano preferred working with Sherry and had been named
“Best Fortified Winemaker” seven consecutive times at the International Wine
and Spirit Competition. In 2014, he also garnered the title of “Best Sherry
Producer.” Manuel Lozano was 61 years old.
May
 |
| Donn Chappellet |
Napa
Valley lost another industry legend on May 22. Donn Chappellet, founder of
Chappellet Vineyards and the pioneer vintner for Pritchard Hill died at his
home on Pritchard Hill. Chappellet left the coffee industry to become a
winemaker in 1966. He told the New York Times in 1971, “I think I had
subconsciously wanted to become a winemaker for years.” In 1969, the winery
released its first cabernet and Chappellet’s talent for crafting rich, powerful
Cabs was revealed. In 1980, his best cabs were released under the Signature
label with small batch releases coming under the Pritchard Hill label during
the 1990s. Chappellet was 84 years old. Chappellet Vineyards will celebrate its 50th anniversary
in 2017.
July
 |
| Denis Dubourdieu |
The
wine industry mourned the loss of Denis Dubourdieu on July 27 from brain
cancer. A man of many talents, Dubourdieu was a winemaker, vineyard owner, and
professor of enology, but best known a the “Pope of White Wine.” Dubourdieu
devised techniques for crafting an elegant and fresh white Bordeaux. His
techniques won the praise of critics’ worldwide. In 2009, Dubourdieu assisted
in creating the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences at the University of
Bordeaux. In 2016, Dubourdieu was made a knight of the Legion of Honor for his
contributions to the wines of France. Dubourdieu was 67 years old.
September
 |
| Greg Walter |
Greg Walter spent his life celebrating the
virtues of Pinot Noir. Walter died September 2 of colon cancer. Walter began in
the wine industry in 1980 as a reporter for the Wine Spectator where he rose to
become senior editor and then spent seven years as president. Walter left the magazine in
1994 to pursue other writing opportunities. He wrote for SmartWine Magazine,
Wine Country Living Magazine, Appellation Magazine, and the Sonoma Valley Sun.
In 2001, he began the PinotReport, a respected website and newsletter that
touted the grape he was passionate about. The PinotReport won the James Beard
Award for Newsletter Writing on Food, Beverage, Restaurants, and Nutrition in
2005. He continued with the website and newsletter until earlier this year.
Walter was 58 years old.
October
 |
| Annegret Reh-Gartner |
Annegret
Reh-Gartner was known as the Riesling ambassador in an industry heavily
controlled by German men. Reh-Gartner took over the vineyards of Reichsgraf von
Kesselstatt estate in 1983. The estate has some of the regions best known
vineyards located in Mosel, Saar and Ruwer valleys. Reh-Gartner and her
husband, restaurateur Gerhard Gartner owned the Michelin starred restaurant,
Gala. Reh-Gartner died of pancreatic cancer. She was 61 years old.