Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Remembrance and Legacy

As we approach the close of 2025, Wine Spectator reflects on the influential figures in the wine and restaurant industry who passed away this year. This group includes notable names such as Napa cult Cabernet pioneer Don Bryant, Quixote’s Carl Doumani, Château Rayas’ Emmanuel Reynaud, and Château Pavie’s Gérard Perse.

Among those remembered is longtime Wine Spectator senior editor James Laube, whose contributions greatly impacted the California wine narrative. The loss of California legends like Don Bryant, Carl Doumani, and Sam Sebastiani, along with chef John Ash, underscores a significant shift in the winemaking community. The French wine sector also mourns the passing of vignerons such as Nicolas Potel and Frédéric Panaïotis, along with beloved figures in the culinary world.

Here’s a closer look at some of the key individuals we lost:

• John Ash
  A pioneer in Sonoma and Mendocino, Chef John Ash educated many about the pleasures of farm-fresh fare paired with fine wines.

• Don Bryant
  An art collector and finance executive, he established Bryant Family Vineyard, a celebrated Napa winery known for its cult Cabernet.

• Carl Doumani
  The visionary behind Quixote and former owner of Stags’ Leap, Doumani was integral to the story of Napa Valley’s evolution.

• James Laube
  After nearly four decades at Wine Spectator, Laube helped elevate both the magazine and the California wine industry on a global platform.

• Frédéric Panaïotis
  Known for his innovative flair, Panaïotis guided Ruinart Champagne into new realms for nearly two decades.

• Gérard Perse
  Perse transformed Château Pavie into a top-rated estate, demonstrating his dedication to Right Bank wines.

• Nicolas Potel
  A significant figure in Burgundy, Potel expanded his influence with Domaine de Bellene and championed winemaking in Beaujolais.

• Emmanuel Reynaud
  The vigneron behind Château Rayas, Reynaud was known for producing some of the finest wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

• Sam Sebastiani
  A conservationist who founded wineries after leaving the family business, he made significant contributions to Sonoma Valley wine.

• Peter Sichel
  An esteemed figure in the wine importing scene, especially known for Blue Nun, Sichel also earned Wine Spectator’s Distinguished Service Award.

• Rudi Wiest
  This celebrated German wine importer played a key role in promoting the best of German wines to American consumers.

With sadness, we honor these individuals for their achievements and enduring legacies in the world of wine. Their contributions continue to inspire current and future generations of winemakers, vintners, and wine lovers.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!