It is with a heavy heart that we report the sudden death of Mitchell Katz, the 59-year-old owner of the esteemed Mitchell Katz Winery, which took place on July 21, 2023, in Livermore, California. Katz's passing came after a tragic two-car collision involving his white GMC SUV and a black Subaru on East Avenue and Mitra Street, according to KRON4.
As reported by the Livermore Police Department, Katz was transported to the hospital after the accident but sadly succumbed to his injuries later that day.The driver of the Subaru, a man in his 20s from Westley, is cooperating with law enforcement, and results from toxicology tests are still pending.
News of Katz's passing has left the wine community in grief and sadness. The Pleasanton Weekly reports an outpouring of condolences and remembrances on the Mitchell Katz Winery Facebook page, where friends, acquaintances, and customers took to sharing their memories and heartfelt messages to the family during such a difficult time.
Mitchell Katz Winery was founded by Katz in 1998 in memory of his grandfather, who had also crafted wines and passed away at the age of 96. Located on South Vasco Road in Livermore, the well-regarded winery was known for producing wines with "extraordinary flavor, richness, and intensity," as described on its official website.
In a touching letter posted on the winery's Facebook page, Katz's sons, Jackson and Wes, broke the news of their father's passing. They wrote, "We have suffered a tragic loss… Our dad, Mitchell Katz, was unexpectedly taken from us this past Friday evening, July 21, 2023. Thank you to all who have reached out with your sincere condolences. We ask for your continued support and respect of our privacy during this time. Your patience is appreciated as we gather more information and begin to heal."
Friends and patrons of the winery praised Katz for his dedication, diligence, and generosity, with many cementing his legacy as a highly-regarded member of the Livermore wine community.
