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As we prepare to ring in 2023, Wine Spectator‘s editors are taking a moment to toast the wine industry pioneers, innovators, leaders and chroniclers we lost this year, among them one of our dearest friends.
This year we said goodbye to California Pinot Noir pioneer and Calera founder Josh Jensen, charismatic Château Léoville Barton owner Anthony Barton, Napa vintner Jack Cakebread, Two-Buck Chuck innovator Fred Franzia, Burgundy’s Louis-Fabrice Latour, Sonoma’s Joe Rochioli Jr., restaurateur Tony May and our own Kim Marcus. We’ll dearly remember these members of our community that we lost in 2022.
Franco Allegrini
One of three siblings who helped make their family winery and Valpolicella global names, he oversaw winemaking and viticulture.
Anthony Barton
A dashing figure for decades in the wine trade, he raised Bordeaux’s Châteaus Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton to iconic status.
Jack Cakebread
The owner of an auto repair shop and a freelance photographer, Cakebread found a second career helping define Napa Chardonnay at Cakebread Cellars.
Fred Franzia
The co-founder of Bronco Wine Company was known for launching “Two Buck Chuck” and for his outspoken opinions of the wine industry.
Alain Graillot
His Northern Rhône Valley domaine became the standard-bearer for the Crozes-Hermitage appellation.
André Hugel
The 11th-generation member of one of Alsace’s top wine families helped rebuild the business after World War II.
Josh Jensen
Pioneering founder of Calera Wine Company turned his passion for Pinot Noir into one of California’s most recognized and celebrated wineries.
Louis-Fabrice Latour
Eleventh-generation president of Burgundy’s Maison Louis Latour led one of Burgundy’s most prominent and historic producers.
Kim Marcus
Longtime Wine Spectator senior editor helped shape the magazine’s global coverage of wine for more than three decades.
Ross Andrew Mickel
The young vintner, who went from sommelier to boutique winery owner, was lost in a seaplane crash near Seattle.
Tony May
Giant of Italian food and wine in the U.S. championed authentic Italian cuisine and mentored countless chefs at New York’s San Domenico, Palio and SD26.
Paul Pender
The longtime winemaker for Niagara’s Tawse Wine & Spirits made gorgeous single-vineyard wines.
Joe Rochioli Jr.
California Pinot Noir pioneer saw potential for fine wine from Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.
Allen Shoup
As the head of Chateau Ste. Michelle, he was a guiding force in establishing Washington state’s wine reputation.
Lucio Tasca d’Almerita
At his family’s winery, he gained global respect for Sicily’s terroir by trying international grapes, then built on that with outstanding native grape wines.
Claude Taittinger
Champagne icon managed the Taittinger Champagne house, investing in vineyards, modernizing marketing and co-founding Domaine Carneros in Napa.
Sean Thackrey
The art dealer turned maverick winemaker pursued wines of character over convention; he also amassed one of the world’s largest collections of historic wine books and manuscripts.