Napa Valley wine legend who made merlot a global icon dies

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-08 20:06:38 | Updated at 2026-09-08 20:54:09 52 minutes ago

Napa Valley has lost a true icon with the passing of Tom Rinaldi — a winemaker whose career spanned five legendary decades.

As Duckhorn’s founding winemaker, Rinaldi, 77, devoted 22 years to building its enduring legacy.

At a time when merlot was mostly used in blends, he crafted the first Three Palms Merlot, catapulting Duckhorn to fame and forever transforming the reputation of the grape.

Napa Valley winemaker Tom Rinaldi has died peacefully in his sleep at age 77. Youtube/@monsieurtoutonselection399

In his 50-year winemaking career, Rinaldi helped put merlot on the map. Facebook/@patentwines

As Duckhorn’s founding winemaker, Rinaldi, 77, devoted 22 years to building its enduring legacy. Facebook/@patentwines

As Doug Shafer of Shafer Vineyards recalled on his podcast to the San Francisco Chronicle, “He put Merlot on the map in the modern era. That’s what I think most people know him for. But the other thing was that he was so generous with his time and advice for all of us. He’d be incredibly forthcoming.”

Rinaldi passed away peacefully in his sleep.