Eugenio Pio Seghesio, 85; Successful Vintner of Alexander Valley

Eugenio Pio “Pete” Seghesio, 85, a vintner who helped bring international acclaim to Northern California’s Alexander Valley wine-growing region, died Thursday in a Santa Rosa hospital of complications from a series of strokes and congestive heart failure.

Born in rural Sonoma County to Italian immigrant parents, Seghesio studied viniculture at UC Davis before serving in the Army during World War II.

Eventually he took over the now 110-year-old Seghesio Family Vineyards in Healdsburg and ran it for three decades.

Despite his education, Seghesio initially opposed the idea of pursuing the premium wine market after bulk wines lost popularity during the 1970s.

Nevertheless, he produced wines that helped build a huge market for North Coast grapes.

Growing up in the wine country, Seghesio befriended many of the giants of the California wine industry, including Julio Gallo, Louis Martini and Robert and Peter Mondavi.