EDIBLE: The loss of Peter Figge leaves a huge hole in Monterey County wine country’s heart.

The guy who was always there to help is no longer here.

Peter Figge was the kind of guy who answered your call, was happy to see you and greeted everyone with a big smile.

Outwardly he was a portrait of vigor, riding his mountain bike religiously, working his winery nonstop – with barely any help – and spending a lot of time with his wife and two kids.

He also made damn good Pinot Noir, and did good by Monterey County wines and the people that make it go.

Those are just three of infinite reasons why word of Peter Figge’s passing is so painful for so many.

He was found dead Monday, June 5, in Figge Cellars’ Marina winery.

Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association circulated an announcement midday Tuesday, June 6, that included this: Peter was beloved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. We are heartbroken by this news. And hold his family in our thoughts and prayers.

MCVGA is planning to dedicate its annual summer barbecue to him, giving everyone a chance to speak.

There will be a lot of people speaking.

Russell Joyce and his team at Joyce Vineyards are also planning a tribute event. (They were working on a date and details as this went to press.) A memorial is tentatively scheduled for June 17.

Miguel Lepe worked with Figge closely, and drew upon his mentorship to launch his upstart brand Lepe Cellars, an inspiring anomaly – how many young Latino winemakers can you name? – that wouldn’t have happened without Figge.

“He was by far the most generous person I’ve ever known,” Lepe says. “He’s done more for me than anyone else ever has in terms of my career and starting my business. He allowed that to happen.”

Not that their relationship stopped there. Lepe remembers Figge being quick to help make ends meet (“Whatever I needed, he’d take care of it”) and to take an interest in Lepe’s passions (“His interest in others’ lives was always there”).

“He learned I like to go running and asked to tag along,” Lepe remembers. “I was shocked. He was a biker, not a runner. I’ve never had anyone want to join me for long runs.”

These themes echo across every conversation about Figge: his genuine curiosity, his steady supportiveness, his openness to everyone.

Albatross Ridge Winemaker Garrett Bowlus, whose vineyard neighbored the Pelio vineyards Figge tended along Carmel Valley Road, still marvels at Figge’s spirit. Not long after Bowlus established his vines years back, a huge storm crept over the horizon. Figge called and asked Bowlus if he knew how to trench his vineyard. As Bowlus recalls: “He said, ‘Let me meet you out there.’ He spent hours with me in the rain. I’ll never forget that.”

After wrangling volunteers for countless tastings, panels and festivals, Stefani Chaney of Scheid Vineyards, Monterey County Vintners and Growers and River Road Wine Trail understands why winemakers don’t always pick up her calls – as she puts it, “She needs something!”

Not Figge. “He’d always answer my call,” she says. “It never went to voicemail. He saved me so many times.”

Tim Wood collaborated with Figge at Carmel Valley Ranch, where Figge designed and planted the vineyards.

“He was a clear-eyed guy who I would ask questions to better myself,” Wood says. “He definitely was an individual who cared greatly for other people, someone who was just a good guy. He wasn’t the guy who said, ‘This is what you should do’; instead, he would do it.”

These testimonials serve as small examples of the many ways he looked to uplift others in general, and local wines in particular.

His Figge Cellars website echoes his character. “We approach wine differently,” it reads. “Figge[’s] passion for wine knows no bounds. That’s why he’s the grape grower, the winemaker, the bottler – you name it. He’s just that committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure the Figge bottle on your table is unforgettable.”

His wine was certainly memorable. But it was Figge himself who remains unforgettable.

Lepe hopes Figge’s legacy includes a wine brand that continues in his stead, noting he’s gotten phone calls from “so many” people ready to lend a hand at the winery “to help out in whichever way they can.”

That impulse to help certainly honors Figge’s legacy. So too will an warmth that doesn’t discriminate.

“He treated everyone the same, with generosity and authenticity,” Bowlus says. “He looked everyone in the eyes. You could see he was a good dude. He wore his personality on his sleeve and in his smile. ”

Therein lies another source of pain: Marina Police confirm Figge died of apparent suicide. Figge, strong and bronze, father and farmer, great guy and greater friend, was suffering from depression that has long haunted his family – and claimed his brother last winter – and few knew it. When someone so special, so inspiring and so helpful can be so fragile, it’s not just heart shattering, it’s humbling.

That’s why I hope another one of his legacies will be a willingness to skip the stigma surrounding depression, and use this as an opportunity to talk about the ways we can help cope.

Like one Figge friend told me, “It brings it full circle how vulnerable we all are.”

~ QUICKBITES ~

• The Covey at Quail Lodge (620-8860) has completed its renovation and is open for lakeside eat and drink.
• Asilomar Conference Grounds’ Social Hall now has a freshly redone deck-patio to enjoy the surrounding pines, setting sun and forest air. They also do live music around sunset on summer Fridays. That happens 6:30-9pm through Aug. 25. Andrea’s Fault plays this Friday, June 9.
• Exec Chef Matt Beaudin of Monterey Bay Aquarium pulled down an international honor for sustainable seafood advocacy from SeaWebb. Photos and more on the blog.
• River Road Wine Trail uncorks a doozie 1-4pm, June 11, with eight different wineries, three different music groups acts and five different food trucks next toOdonata, which is joined by Pessagno, Manzoni, Puma Road, Hahn, Smith Family, Ventana and Scheid for a Tunes, Trucks & Tastes festival ($65, $25/designated driver, cellarpass.com/river-road-wine-trail-presents-tunes-trucks-tastes-tickets-1483).
• Barkeep Josh Perry is leaving Restaurant 1833 (643-1833) to start his own place.
• Not often you can drink and eat at one of the best restaurants in the country for $8. But as Aubergine (624-8578) introduces Thursdays in the Courtyard 4-6pm June 8 and June 15, $8 gets a beer, three oysters (while they last) and live music.
• Chef David Baron (of new Salt Wood) joins Jordan Snyder (of M.H. Bread and Butter) and Klaus Georis (as he returns from two years cooking at In de Wulf & De Vitrine in Belgium) for a dynamite Can I Live pop-up lunch at Georis tasting room in Carmel Valley 2-6pm Saturday, June 10 ($100, m.bpt.me/event/2961266).
• Joyce Vineyards (238-5736) celebrates completion of its new digs at 1 E. Carmel Valley Road 12:30-5:30pm Saturday, June 17, with live music, Oak & Rye pizza, fresh-shucked Morro Bay oysters, corn hole and bocce ($30/includes two drink tickets and food ticket; free/wine club members).
• Abraham Lincoln: “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”