Tom Rinaldi, a renowned winemaker credited with popularizing Merlot in California, passed away peacefully in his sleep over the weekend at the age of 77, according to his daughter Angelina Bigelow. A prominent figure in Napa Valley’s wine industry for five decades, Rinaldi played a pivotal role in elevating the region’s Merlot profile and mentoring the next generation of vintners.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Rinaldi’s passion for wine developed during his teenage years with frequent motorcycle trips to Napa Valley. Even before reaching the legal drinking age, he often visited notable wineries such as Louis M. Martini, Charles Krug, and Beaulieu Vineyard. His early exposure to the industry helped shape his future career path.
Rinaldi served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, working as an aircrewman in Guam and flying into the eye of numerous typhoons. After his military service, he initially planned to pursue medicine or veterinary science but instead chose to study oenology and viticulture at the University of California, Davis. There, he joined peers who would also become influential Napa winemakers, including Mike Martini, Bob Levy, Tim Mondavi, and Cathy Corison.
His first professional winemaking role was an internship at Freemark Abbey, followed by positions at Rutherford Hill and Round Hill. In 1978, he was hired as the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards after a chance encounter with founder Dan Duckhorn. That same year, Rinaldi crafted the first vintage of the Three Palms Merlot, which featured a blend of 85 percent Merlot and 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. This blend contributed to the wine’s immediate success and helped establish Duckhorn as synonymous with California Merlot, significantly influencing the U.S. market’s enthusiasm for the varietal throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
After 22 years at Duckhorn, Rinaldi departed in 2000 to help launch Hewitt Vineyard and Provenance Vineyards, acquiring grapes from renowned grower Andy Beckstoffer. Known for his expertise in barrel selection and blending, Rinaldi was regarded as a generous mentor within the winemaking community. Colleagues praised his patience and willingness to support others, crediting him with nurturing talent across Napa Valley.
Though semi-retired after 2014, Rinaldi remained active in smaller projects, including a venture in Washington State. In 2019, at age 70, he partnered with Eric Risch to start a new brand initially called DoublePlus, later rebranded as Patent Wines following a trademark issue. The winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, with its name inspired by Rinaldi’s unique barrel rating system.
Outside of winemaking, Rinaldi was an avid cyclist, known for completing multiple challenging Death Rides in the Sierra Nevada. He was also working on a biography at the time of his death. He was married to Beverly Kinney for 43 years until her passing in 2024 and is survived by his daughter Angelina and six grandchildren.
Friends and colleagues remember him not only for his winemaking acumen but also for his vibrant personality, storytelling ability, and genuine warmth, qualities that left a lasting impact on Napa Valley’s wine community.