Sunday, March 24, 2013

A viticultural obituary, Dr. Keith Patterson, Cal Poly SLO

A friend, an adviser, a man always ready to set foot in a remote vineyard site or dirtbag party venue.
Critics and winemakers get the wolverine's share of the attention in the wine world, but much of the tremendous innovation in viticulture and enology over the last decades has been driven by academics.  Emile Peynaud was my first guide to winemaking, and judging with Davis and Fresno professors has been instructive, but Keith answered my text messages - about clones, pests, impromptu concerts, and sadly, his health just a few weeks ago.  He died Thursday.
Above photo taken at Swillapalooza, 10/6/07

Band practice

Band practice