Month: January 2019

Before we look ahead to 2019, Wine Spectator’s editors would like to take a moment to remember the wine and food industry leaders, loved ones, friends and pioneers that passed this year.

We were shocked and saddened by the death of renowned chef, author and television star Anthony Bourdain, who took his own life in June at age 61. Bourdain appeared on the cover of the March 31, 2015, issue of Wine Spectator, for editor at large Harvey Steiman’s extensive profile, “The Cooked and the Raw.” We also bid farewell to beloved California vintner Ulises Valdez, Zinfandel champion Kent Rosenblum, Old World legends Bruno Giacoas and Auguste Clape, and French chefs Joël Robuchon and Paul Bocuse, among many notable others. Now we remember these great contributors to the wine world and more who will be missed in 2019, and we ask our readers to share their memories in the comments, and to add memorials for any other wine-industry friends not listed here.

Paul Bocuse
Eminent French chef Paul Bocuse was a world-renowned innovator and pioneer of Nouvelle Cuisine.

Anthony Bourdain
Chef, author and TV host revealed the hard work and hard living of the cooks in restaurant kitchens.

Ball & Albanese for Wine Spectator

Anthony Bourdain loved New York City, but he also loved discovering new lands, food and people.

Ella Brennan
At Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace, New Orleans restaurateur Ella Brennan recruited chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse.

Courtesy Brennan Family

Ella Brennan in her Garden District home. Even in semi-retirement, her philosophy permeated her family’s restaurants.

Rudy Buratti
Castello Banfi winemaker Rudy Buratti spent his career in Montalcino making high-quality Brunellos.

Auguste Clape
From his small family estate, Auguste Clape turned the Cornas appellation into a world-renowned source of Syrah.

Gail Skoff

Auguste Clape, center, with his grandson Olivier and his son Pierre-Marie at their Cornas winery.

Al Frediani
The grape farmer spent his life working the Calistoga property he’d been born on.

Albert Frère
The richest man in Belgium and a passionate wine lover, Frère was co-owner of Bordeaux’s Château Cheval-Blanc.

Fred Furth
A successful attorney known for his flamboyant personality, Furth built Chalk Hill into a prominent Sonoma estate.

Bruno Giacosa
Known as Barbaresco’s “Maestro,” Giacosa crafted exquisite wines for more than 50 years.

Matthew Molchen

Bruno Giacosa in his wine cellar in the Barbaresco town of Neive

Norbert Goldner
Cafe l’Europe chef and co-owner Norbert Goldner ran his landmark Palm Beach restaurant and an outstanding wine program for 37 years.

Robert Haas
Tablas Creek cofounder and Paso Robles pioneer Robert Haas helped popularize Rhône grapes in California, first as an importer, then as a vintner.

Nicolaus Hahn
Hahn Family Wines founder helped put Santa Lucia Highlands on the map.

Eric Albada Jelgersma
Dutch businessman Eric Albada Jelgersma revitalized Bordeaux’s Château Giscours.

Patrick Léon
Former winemaker at Mouton-Rothschild and Opus One and consultant at Château d’Esclans brought international perspective to wine.

Archie McLaren
A lawyer by training, Central Coast Wine Classic founder McLaren was an ambassador and champion for California’s Central Coast.

Leonildo “Nino” Pieropan
Soave stalwart was a traditionalist and an innovator for his Italian appellation.

Giuseppe “Beppe” Rinaldi
Barolo vintner Rinaldi crafted pure, complex Barolos for nearly three decades.

Courtesy Rare Wine Co.

Beppe Rinaldi was known for his strong beliefs, acerbic wit and gorgeous wines.

Joël Robuchon
Arguably the world’s most decorated chef, Robuchon pushed Nouvelle Cuisine to new heights, from Paris to Tokyo to Las Vegas.

Jöel Robuchon earned his third Grand Award, for L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Hong Kong, in 2010.

Hardy Rodenstock
German wine merchant and alleged counterfeiter Hardy Rodenstock reveled in bottles that were too good to be true.

Koerner Rombauer
Pilot-turned-vintner Koerner Rombauer helped define California’s rich style of Chardonnay.

Kent Rosenblum
California veterinarian-turned-winemaker Kent Rosenblum championed old vineyards and ripe Zinfandels.

Courtesy of Rosenblum

Kent Rosenblum was known for his bold Zinfandels and his warm, fun personality.

Leslie Rudd
Savvy investor, businessman, philanthropist and Rudd Oakville Estate founder left an indelible mark on California’s food and wine scene.

Ulises Valdez
A Mexican immigrant who started as a vineyard laborer, the beloved California vintner became one of Sonoma’s most renowned vineyard managers and a winery owner.

Colin Price

Ulises Valdez was known for his vineyard knowledge and his trademark smile.

Bob Wilmers
Charming and intelligent, the New York banker and owner of Bordeaux’s Château Haut-Bailly built a career as a prudent banker and an unabashed lover of France and Bordeaux.