Dr. Michel Salgues, former Roederer Estate winemaker, died in France on October 1. He was 70.
Salgues, who moved to California’s Anderson Valley in 1985 to become Roederer’s winemaker, was born and raised in Champagne, although his family was not in the wine business. He studied agronomy and enology at the France’s prestigious University of Montpellier and earned a masters in Food Science from The University of California at Davis.
After 19 years at Roederer, Salgues retired and became an international wine consultant.
“Michel was a friend of tremendous intellect, wit and sense of humor,” Roederer Estate President Gregory Balogh said in a statement. “He was a consummate researcher who was instrumental in the pioneering ambitions of Roederer Estate. He will be missed.”
Salgues is survived by his wife Sylvie and three children.
Winery, Casino Magnet Don Carano Passes Away
Don Carano, hotel and casino mogul and creator of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, died at his home in Reno on October 3 after battling a longtime illness. He was 85.
Carano spent two years in the U.S. Army before beginning his early career as a lawyer specializing in corporate and gambling law. In 1973, he channeled his experience into opening the Eldorado Hotel and Casino in Reno.
A few years later, Carano and wife Rhonda bought a ranch in Alexander Valley. After the couple began to devote time to winemaking classes, they produced their first small lot wines. After buying additional land, they opened Ferrari-Carano in 1981.
Ferrari-Carano became one of the largest vineyard owners in Sonoma County, with 24 estate-owned vineyards spanning more than 1,900 acres (1,000 planted) in the North Coast, including the Lazy Creek Vineyards in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, well-known for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.
Carano’s hotel business flourished over the years as well. His Eldorado Resorts Inc. now has 19 casinos in 10 states.
Carano is survived by his wife, five children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Published: October 16, 2017
