2025 is only moments away, but before we flip the calendar, Wine Spectator’s editors would like to remember the wine industry pioneers, innovators and history makers we lost this year.
In 2024, we said goodbye to longtime California wine industry leaders Warren Winiarski, Jan Shrem and Eleanor Coppola, as well as architect Howard Backen, who helped define the very look of Napa Valley. Italian wine pioneers Enrico Scavino and Marco Felluga were both lost this year after long and distinguished careers, and we also bid fond farewells to industry leaders Harvey Chaplin, Neil Empson and Terry Robards. We’ll remember them all as we celebrate the new year to come. Click through on each name to read our full coverage of their passing.
[article-img-container][src=2024-07/ns_howard-backen-072624_1600.jpg] [credit= (Adrian Gregorutti)] [alt= Architect Howard Backen helped define Napa Valley’s style, through dozens of buildings that worked with the landscape.][end: article-img-container]Howard Backen
A highly influential Napa Valley–based architect, Backen was internationally recognized for numerous wineries, restaurants, homes and more.
Harvey Chaplin
Chaplin turned a modest spirits and wine distributorship into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse with national reach that led the liquor industry into the modern age.
[article-img-container][src=2024-04/ns_eleanor-coppola-041524_1600.jpg] [credit= (Tasia Wells/Getty Images)] [alt= Eleanor Coppola directed Paris Can Wait at age 80.][end: article-img-container]Eleanor Coppola
A filmmaker, artist, author and vintner, Coppola helped rebuild Inglenook winery and left her mark on both Napa Valley and Hollywood.
Neil Empson
A pioneering importer of Italian wines, Empson built an impressive company and legacy.
[article-img-container][src=2024-04/ns_marco-felluga-041524_1600.jpg] [credit= (Courtesy of Felluga)] [alt= Marco Felluga was known not only for his excellent wines but for promoting the wines of the Collio region around the world.][end: article-img-container]Marco Felluga
The Italian white wine visionary’s winery in Friuli is among the region’s most recognized and respected.
[article-img-container][src=2024-06/ns_terry-robards-061724_1600.jpg] [credit= (Courtesy of Robards Wine and Spirits)] [alt= Marco Felluga was known not only for his excellent wines but for promoting the wines of the Collio region around the world.][end: article-img-container]Terry Robards
A voice for fine wine in America, the New York Times critic and Wine Spectator columnist taught a generation of Americans about fine wine.
[article-img-container][src=2024-02/ns_scavino-father-and-daughters-022624_1600.jpg] [credit= (Matthew Molchen)] [alt= Enrico Scavino with his daughters Elisa, left, and Enrica.][end: article-img-container]Enrico Scavino
One of Piedmont’s winemaking greats, Scavino was unafraid to mix tradition with modernity in the name of outstanding wine.
Jan Shrem
The founder of Napa Valley’s Clos Pegase winery, Shrem was a philanthropist and art collector whose California wine community contributions ran deep.
[article-img-container][src=2024-06/news-warren-winiarski-obituary-smithsonian-060924_1600.jpg]Source : https://www.winespectator.com/articles/the-wine-stars-we-lost-in-2024
