David Lett, pioneer and father of the Oregon wine industry passed away yesterday. He will be mourned by the entire winemaking community here. Below is the announcement from Jason Lett, his son and winemaker at Eyrie Vineyards, which David founded in 1966:

The Lett family regrets to announce that David Lett passed away yesterday evening.  He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.  We are deeply appreciative of the support of our colleagues and friends at this time. We welcome your notes of condolence - David loved to reach out to people and to connect, and we hope you'll feel free to do the same.

David cared deeply for the land and for his family.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, David's legacy can be memorialized through gifts to 1000 Friends of Oregon or to Families United, a non-profit that supports assisted living for adults with special needs.

A celebration of David's life will be held, as he would have wished, AFTER harvest.

Condolences may be sent to:

Diana Lett and Jason Lett

Post Office Box 697

Dundee, Oregon 97115

Memoria

1000 Friends of Oregon

534 SW Third Avenue, Suite 300

Portland, Oregon   97204

(503) 497-1000

Families United For Independent Living

PO Box 473

McMinnville, Oregon 97128 0473

Update on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 8:46PM by Craig Camp

David Lett’s obituary in the LA Times. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-lett12-2008oct12,0,4178247.story