Monterey County wine pioneer Rich Smith leaves behind big legacy at 69.

A local pioneer and beloved grape farmer passed away this week.

Rich Smith of Paraiso Vineyards, who helped build the Santa Lucia Highlands wine region into what it is today as much as anyone on this Earth, died surrounded by family yesterday, Dec. 27.

His son Jason Smith posted this eulogy-of-sorts on Facebook:

December 19, 1946 - December 27, 2015.

My Dad left us yesterday morning. It was a fast and peaceful end and it was spent with the family in his house and on his home vineyard...the way he wanted it. He has touched so many lives in so many ways that it's almost inconceivable to to count.

His message was always simple..."treat people the way you want to be treated". He lived by that motto and daily instilled it in his family, his friends and even his foes (if he had any). We are all lucky to have shared and spent time with him.

We know as a family that he left knowing that we were all in good hands and that we would kick ass and succeed in anything we wanted to.

At this point there are no plans for services. We will most likely do a small private family service and then plan a larger celebration of life when the weather is better.

Please know that we are doing well under the circumstances. All your thoughts and prayers have been felt and heard.

We will continue to embrace each other and all of you and we will make sure to make 2016 one that my Dad would be proud of.

Thank you all so much and God bless my Dad!

Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans collective Exec Director Dave Muret offered this remembrance:

Rich Smith was one of the founding fathers of the modern Monterey County wine industry.

There is not a single grower or vintner on the Central Coast who has not benefitted from Rich’s tireless work in promoting the region.

In the early 1970s, Rich and Claudia Smith were among the first to plant Pinot Noir in what is now the famed Santa Lucia Highlands appellation at their home estate, Paraiso.

In fact, Rich, in concert with Nicky Hahn, first proposed the SLH name and boundaries that became an official AVA in 1991.

Today, the Santa Lucia Highlands is one of the best known addresses in the world for top quality Pinot Noir—due in no small part to Rich’s pioneering vision.

On a personal level, Rich was famous for always listening and lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it. His and Claudia’s extended family included pretty much everyone in Monterey County.

He was a friend, a mentor, an employer, and a patriarch all rolled into one. I already miss him very much…

Monterey County Vintners & Growers chief Kim Stemler added this in an email:

Dear Friends,

It saddens me to share the passing of Rich Smith. He peacefully passed on Sunday morning, at home, surrounded by the vines he planted and family that he adored and that equally adored him—as we all did. 

Rich was a national leader in the wine industry—and a local hero, growing grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands since 1973 (Valley Farm Management and Paraiso Vineyards). He was one of the fathers and visionary pioneers of the Monterey wine region and continually championed sustainability and research to foster the success we all share.

We recently had the privilege of having Rich as a panelist with John De Luca and Carla Worfolk at the MCVGA's showing of the America’s Wines Movie in November. And, as to his character, he  was always willing to share his time, vast knowledge and energy.  

Though it looked like Rich’s fight against pancreatic cancer would succeed – not to any of our surprise—unfortunately it continued to spread. I say this not to connect his passing with the disease, but to highlight the vitality, passion, generosity, love, brilliance and leadership Rich carried through his last day, a man who leaves behind tremendous legacy.

Personally, Rich helped me get oriented to the local and national wine industry. He always supported the MCVGA and made himself available to share his wisdom on how we steer towards success. I will miss him deeply. And yet—he is still with us, in his family, in every single grape that comes off of his lands and in our hearts and minds.

He loved his family so deeply. He had just turned 69 on December 19th by the side of his beautiful bride Claudia and the rest of his family. Our deepest sympathy and love goes out to Claudia, Jason, Kacy, Jen and the entire Smith clan. Please know you are embraced by a very large community that cares for you all.  

Vivien Villar Lindley spoke for many when she shared this via Facebook: "Our hearts are broken. We will miss Richie, his wisdom, his wit, his logic, his kindness but most of all his love.

"We were blessed to be able to spend many hours, days and weeks with him and Claudia. These memories will stay with us forever and always bring a smile to our faces."