Chuck Carpy; A Founder of Modern Napa Valley Wine Industry

Chuck Carpy, 68, considered one of the founders of the modern Napa Valley wine industry. His grandfather came to California from Bordeaux, France, at the end of the Civil War and eventually founded Christian Brothers’ cellars in St. Helena. Chuck Carpy founded Freemark Abbey Winery in 1967 and co-founded Rutherford Hill Winery in 1976. Also a co-founder of the Napa Valley Bank, he directed the Napa Valley Wine Library and served as president of the Napa Valley Vintners Assn. and the Wine Institute. On Monday in St. Helena of a heart attack.