Thomas John Mackey

Thomas John Mackey
July 29, 2024
Thomas John Mackey, 74, Partner and Winemaker of Tom Mackey Cellars, and retired Wine Master of St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, died gently and unexpectedly at home on July 29, 2024 due to complications of preexisting medical conditions with a mild case of Covid19.
Growing up in San Francisco, Tom was a boy scout and altar boy who attended St. Anne's Grammar School, and St. Ignatius High School where he was a member of the Football team of 1967 and 1968 that took the Championships in two different leagues. Surfing was particularly fun in his teen years. He was a fun-loving sort who admired and took guidance from his older sister and tormented his younger sister, as brothers will do. He loved his family and had many happy stories from his childhood.
Tom attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and University of San Francisco where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1973. Changing professional aspirations, he earned a Masters of Science degree in Enology from Fresno State University, and took his first winemaking job as Assistant Winemaker at Gold Seal Winery in Bath, New York during 1981. After this adventure in specialized winemaking techniques dictated by very different vinicultural conditions, he returned to California and accepted a position as Winemaker at the newly established St. Francis Winery in Kenwood which at the time produced 30,000 cases per year. It was a wonderfully cooperative environment in Kenwood in those early years where the wineries would share ideas, equipment, and support each other through logistically difficult vintages. Over the years St. Francis expanded to become a 500,000 case a year producer at a new facility on Pythian Road in Santa Rosa. The production growth and designing and equipping of the new facility was all overseen by Tom. He truly enjoyed and was grateful for all the opportunities he was provided and relished the relationships he made in this collegial community. Over his 30 years at St. Francis Winery he and the wines he crafted earned innumerable awards, among them "Red Winemaker of the Year" at the 2001 International Competition in Europe; he was often referred to as the "Master of Merlot". Upon his retirement from St. Francis, he became restless and with his partner and friend, Clyde Galantine, established Tom Mackey Cellars, a small red wine house that produces 300-500 cases per year of premium red wines; these wines have earned many awards.
While on a summer job in San Francisco during his college years, he met and fell in love with Miriam. Together they raised Ben and Lauren in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa.
Tom loved to visit and share a good glass of wine with friends, watch the Forty Niners Football team do well, especially enjoyed a good joke or two and spending time with his basset hounds. An avid lifelong reader his tastes moved from science fiction to historical fiction and fantasy; particularly the Tolkien collection. Tom was drawn to watching the ocean waves on the California coast. But he will be remembered as an especially supportive husband, father and friend, always ready with a supportive word or deed.
Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years Miriam, his children, Ben (of Chicago) and Lauren, his sister Maureen DiRienzo (Douglas) of N. Carolina, several nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents John and Gloria, and his sister, Elizabeth.
Due to the current prevalence of Covid19 in our community there will be a private graveside service for family and an online posting site to share pictures, remembrances and wishes at https://obituaries.neptune-society.com/obituaries/santa-rosa-ca/thomas-mackey-11921940.
If desired donations can be made to Sonoma County Animal Services.