Lon J. Rombough, one of the foremost authorities on North American viticulture, died Monday at age 62 of an apparent heart attack. Rombough was the author of The Grape Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture. He was also a grape breeder and viticulture consultant for about 40 years. Although Ron lived in Oregon, he was well known and admired by many grape growers and wine makers in the Midwest.
Mark Ganchiff
Mark Ganchiff is the publisher of Midwest Wine Press, the leading source of news on the growing wine industry in the central United States. Mark has been a wine judge at the 2012 and 2014 INDY International Wine Competition, the 2014 Cold Climate Wine Competition, the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition, the 2012 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition and the 2013 Michigan Wine Competition. He also enjoys speaking at wine events including the Cold Climate Wine Conference, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Annual Meeting, the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference and the Wisconsin Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Mark's articles about regional wine have appeared in Vineyard & Winery Management, WineMaker and several regional magazines. Mark is a Level One Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers. He lives in Louisville, but also has a residence in Chicago.
Lon was a Pro by any estimation, but beyond that, he was a diagnostician. Creme de la Creme, professionally or privately; he took time with everyone, customers or otherwise, and left you feeling as if you’ve been granted time with a busy but concerned, very good friend.
It is wisely said, “Serve your fellow man.” He surely did. I was an honor to have been in this good fellows life in any way. He no doubt humbles most of us, and reminds us of how we ought to be and behave towards our brethren; yet, leaves is smiling. Few make our eyes moisten and our hearts sing, much less at the same time. His family who spoke after his passing, surely echo all of his good will and example. While irreplaceable, we must do as best we can to emulate his like in our day-to-day.