Napa ValleyTuesday, November 3
Marvin Shanken, whose foundation gave Napa Valley College its largest gift, dies at 83
The Daily Napa team
Marvin R. Shanken, the longtime editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, died Oct. 29 at 83. His scholarship foundation gave Napa Valley College the largest gift in its history. Variety says he died in Manhattan.
He bought Wine Spectator in 1979, when it was a struggling newspaper. Variety says he turned it into a glossy magazine with more than 100,000 subscribers, and its 100-point rating system made buying fine bottles more approachable.
About 5,000circulation of Wine Spectator when Shanken bought it in 1979
He kept it going for five decades and made it one of the most influential wine publications in the world.
Source: The Napa Valley Register
“He helped educate millions of Americans on the joys and virtues of wine, and tirelessly encouraged and pushed winemakers to produce the best for their customers.”
- Also founded Cigar Aficionado and Shanken News Daily
- Born in New Haven, Connecticut; MBA from American U.
- Created the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation
Shanken went from a newsletter to Wine Spectator
- 1972Shanken buys a small industry newsletter named Impact.
- 1979He buys the struggling Wine Spectator newspaper.
- Oct. 29Shanken dies at 83.
Source: Variety
Sources: The Napa Valley Register, Variety