Winemaker Ernest Gallo Dies at 97

SAN LUIS OBISPO

An icon in the american wine industry has died.

Renowned billionaire winemaker Ernest Gallo passed away on Tuesday at his home in Modesto.

Gallo was known as a marketing genius who took $5,900 along with a wine recipe from the Modesto Public Library and built the world's largest winemaking empire.

His contributions also reached the Central Coast, investing a million dollars to assist Cal Poly's viticultural program.

"It's allowed us a great opportunity to show students without having to leave campus how a true commercial vineyard is operated. They've been very generous with us in terms of senior projects, graduate theses, projects along that line," said Keith Patterson of the Cal Poly Viticultural Program.

Ernest Gallo was 97 years old.

SOURCE

"Gallo was known as a marketing genius who took $5,900 along with a wine recipe from the Modesto Public Library"


Figures, his wine was shit for the most part. Drank it in college cause it was cheap. Graduated on to a more seasoned palate experience.

"Gallo and his late brother, Julio, founded the E&J Gallo Winery in 1933, at the end of prohibition. E&J rented a ramshackle building, and everybody in the family pitched in to make ordinary wine for $.50 a gallon - half the going price. The Gallos made $30,000 in the first year."

Fucking brilliant. Who cares if it is the middle of the depression? They saw an opportunity and jumped on it. Alcohol is countercyclical, anyway. What better time to sell cheap wine then when everyone is out of work with nothing to do all day but feel sorry for themselves?