Robert Finigan

Robert Charles Finigan Esteemed author, wine and food critic Robert Finigan died unexpectedly Saturday, October 1st at his San Francisco home. He was 68. Although born in Richmond, Virginia September 22nd, 1943, he was reared in Framingham, Massachusetts. Bob received his BA in English Literature from Harvard College in 1965 and MBA in Marketing and International Business from Harvard Business School. His life-long love of classical music began in Cambridge as an announcer at school radio station WHRB. While still at Harvard, Bob pursued a brief stint as music program director at Boston station WBCN. After graduating Bob found himself consulting with San Francisco-based American President Lines working directly for APL's president and philanthropist Ralph Davies. San Francisco soon became home, and his love affair with the city never waned. With his usual gusto Bob immersed himself in the Bay Area's rich cultural and gastronomic firmament of the late 60's and early 70's. His keen interest in then, as yet, little appreciated California wines grew and his innate entrepreneurial talent led him to start Robert Finigan's Private Guide to Wines, an early and influential monthly guide to both domestic and European vintages. He pursued his passion for wine and gastronomy with a second publication, Robert Finigan's Private Guide to Restaurants. With wit, a discerning palate and an eye on the Bay Area's incipient but burgeoning food scene, Bob established his reputation as a leading proponent of soon-to-be nationally embraced California wines and cuisine. Few are aware that Bob selected the wines from, then, largely untested Napa Valley vintners for his friend Steven Spurrier's 1976 tasting which was to pit new world wines against revered vintages from the old. Results from Spurrier's Paris-based Academie du Vin tasting rocked the wine world to its core as the upstart wines were declared superior to their venerable French counterparts. With Bob's assistance, the long-held paradigm had shifted. He celebrated California wines' new-found status both in his newsletters and myriad of articles, columns and speaking engagements. His reputation was further burnished with publication of the seminal work Robert Finigan's Essentials of Wine (Knopf, 1987). Written in Bob's direct, elegantly crafted and clear style, it quickly became an essential reference book for both the professional and layman alike and remains so this day. His last book, Corks and Forks (Shoemaker Hoard, 2006) was a memoir which fondly recalled his many decades as an author, critic and celebrated his deep friendships with many of the world's most respected vintners. His friends and colleagues are many, scattered throughout the world. All will remember him first and always as a consummate gentleman whose easy grace, curious and knowledgeable intellect and camaraderie will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege and joy to know him. Robert leaves behind his devoted and beloved wife Suzanne, his mother Mary, sister Jane and her husband Ron Rakip of Framingham. His nephew Kent and niece Caroline also survive him. At his request there will be no memorial service. If desired, contributions can be made to the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.sfspca.org/adoptions/shelter or a charity of the donor's choice.