Wednesday 7 March 2007

California wine-maker Gallo dies

The man who helped to create an international market for Californian wine, Ernest Gallo, has died, aged 97.
He went into business with his brother, Julio, in 1933, after the United States abandoned the prohibition of alcohol.
From humble beginnings, E & J Gallo Winery thrived with Julio making the wine and Ernest dealing with marketing.
It became the world's biggest wine-producing company, although it was later overtaken by Constellation Brands of New York. Ernest Gallo died peacefully surrounded by his family in the Californian town of Modesto, where he was born almost 98 years ago.
BBC: