(Napa, Calif.)— January 31, 2023—Donald M. Hess, entrepreneur, vintner, and artwork collector, handed away peacefully in Bern, Switzerland, on January 30, 2023, at 86. Recognized for his infectious curiosity, zest for all times, pioneering spirit, and masterful storytelling – qualities that helped Donald construct an iconic mineral water firm, together with esteemed sustainably-focused wineries in Napa and Argentina, in a profession that spanned nearly 60 years.
Arriving in Napa Valley within the late Nineteen Seventies, hoping to develop his European mineral water enterprise, he was as an alternative captivated by wine – a love affair that modified the course of his life. He was drawn to the rugged hills of Mount Veeder, believing that mountain slopes had been unsurpassed in high quality grape manufacturing. Donald first acquired 700 acres of land on Mt. Veeder in 1978 and established The Hess Assortment that yr, growing 200 acres into winery land. The primary Hess Assortment wines had been produced in 1983, and in 1986, he secured a further 70 acres on Mt. Veeder, which included a historic vineyard courting again to 1903. After a multi-year rehabilitation and renovation of the vineyard constructing, The Hess Assortment vineyard, together with a two-story artwork gallery devoted to displaying a portion of Donald’s artwork modern assortment, opened in 1989. Donald later performed a pivotal function in establishing the Mount Veeder AVA in 1993.
During the last 45 years, The Hess Assortment has turn out to be a cornerstone of sustainably grown California Cabernet Sauvignon. Donald Hess’s strategy to farming was steadfast: “Nurture the land, return what you’re taking.” The Hess Assortment held the primary sustainable farming symposium in Napa County within the early Nineties. As a member of the Wine Institute, The Hess Assortment helped to determine a standardized and certifiable definition of sustainable wine rising practices. Right now, the vineyard owns 4 property vineyards inside the Napa Valley, totaling roughly 900 planted acres.
Within the late Nineties, pushed by his ardour for wine and love of journey, Donald Hess traveled to Argentina. Excessive up within the mountains of Salta, he discovered a small 150-year-old vineyard – Bodega Colomé, his “diamond within the tough.” He and his spouse Ursula Hess moved to Argentina, working for over a decade to rehabilitate the vineyards and rework the vineyard. They expanded the enterprise with additional winery acquisitions across the Calchaquí valleys, together with the Altura Maxima winery, which sits at an altitude of 10’200 toes. Right now, Bodega Colomé has 4 estates totaling 370 acres underneath vine at a mean altitude of 8,000 toes. Donald’s legacy in Argentina can also be mirrored in Bodega Amalaya, established in 2010 in Cafayate, Salta. Donald additionally based the esteemed James Turrell Museum at Bodega Colomé, which homes 9 of Turrell’s immersive mild installations – the world’s largest set up of the artist’s work.
Earlier than his devotion to wine started, Donald Hess had already turn out to be an artwork collector. His enduring curiosity for modern artwork and the feelings behind items helped him forge lifelong friendships with a number of artists; for instance, he credited Swiss painter Rolf Iseli because the good friend who opened his eyes to the need of sustainability. The Hess Assortment artwork gallery in Napa and the James Turrell Museum in Salta are vibrant reminders of his perception within the synergy between collector and work, artist and collector, and finally an artist and their work.
Donald Hess is survived by his spouse Ursula, his daughter Alessandra, his stepdaughters Larissa, and Sabrina, and 5 grandchildren.
