I personally knew Paul for over 40 years. He was a very good guy. His name is up there with John Parducci, Barney Fetzer and Charlie Barra as the Titans of the Mendocino wine scene.
5 Likes
Sorry to hear about Paul. I met him somewhere along the way. Maybe at dinner at your house onetime??
Tom
I met Paul while he was at Fetzer - he was really the guiding light at Fetzer and all those wonderful single vineyard Zins they released back 40 some years ago. As you say, he was a true Mendocino icon. RIP
What a great guy! I was so sorry to read the news. The last time I saw him was at the memorial service for Dennis Martin, also a victim of prostate cancer. We said we would have lunch soon, but you know how that can go. Paul was a titan of so many good things…organic viticulture, responsibility in business, helping others…to name a few. Before he got to Fetzer, the reds were very good, but the whites needed help and he turned that around pronto.
Rest in Peace
I’ve never met him however I have (like many) felt his influence in my earlier years, especially anything Mendocino. Think the last wine I had from him was his organic Cab.
Reading his obit today on WineBusiness.com they mention his first year at Fetzer, 1977, they bottled 5,000 cases of wine. In 1981 they sold 245,000 cases!
Now that is growth!
We used to go to Fetzer for the Mendocino County Winegrowers event every year where they had celebrity chefs, auctions and a shit ton of wine drank. That was back when newspapers were a thing and the Press Democrat, whom my Wife still works for, used to buy a table to every event in the NorthBay/North Coast.
The Dolans knew how to throw a party too!
RIP
1 Like