Louis Martini; Veteran California Wine Executive

Louis Peter Martini, a pioneering figure in the California wine industry and chairman of the Louis M. Martini Winery, died Monday at his home after a brief battle with cancer. He was 79.

Martini was one of the first vintners to develop vineyards in the Carneros growing region and the first to bottle Merlot wine in the United States. He was an early user of mechanical methods of harvesting wine grapes on the North Coast and was a pioneer in the use of stainless steel fermenting tanks.

He studied winemaking at UC Davis and after graduation joined the family business. Martini’s father had founded L.M. Martini Grape Products Co. in 1922, then moved it to Napa in 1933, renaming it the Louis M. Martini Winery.

After serving in England during World War II, Martini returned to the winery as vice president and production manager.

He was appointed winemaker in 1954, a position he held until 1974, when he turned the job over to his son Michael.

From 1968 to 1985, he was president and general manager of the winery. His daughter Carolyn has been president and CEO since 1985.

Martini was a founder of the Wine Institute, the state’s wine trade association, and was also a charter member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; sons Michael and Peter; daughters Carolyn and Patricia; four grandchildren; and a sister.