Reginald Back Oliver, 66, wine grower and businessman, died at his home in St. Helena on June 24, 2005. The cause of death was melanoma. His survivors are his wife of 41 years, Marie Mason, daughter Lily, son Jack, granddaughter Clementine Olivia Berlin and grandson Reginald Ewan Oliver, all of St. Helena, adopted son Nicholas Muir of New York, parents Mr. and Mrs. Paul Runyon Oliver of Los Gatos, sister Nancy O. Scott of Piedmont and brother A. Leslie Oliver of Warren, Oregon. His infant daughter Louise died in 1973.

Reg was born in Berkeley, graduated from Los Gatos High School, San Jose State University and the Masters in Business program at New York University's Stern School of Business. He was a partner of Pershing & Company in New York where he was employed from 1962 until his retirement in 1992. In 1981 the family moved to St. Helena and entered the wine business with the resurrection of El Molino winery (est. 1871), producing quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Reg loved St. Helena, having spent his first Christmas here in 1939 at the home of his aunt, late Nancy Haven, and was involved in local efforts for preservation. Memorial gifts are therefore directed to the Napa Valley Wine Library and the Napa County Landmarks, as well as Hospice of Napa Valley.

Click here to read Reg's interview with the Napa Valley Wine Library