Blossom Hill winemaker dies of cancer

Percy Fox, Diageo’s UK wine division, has announced the death of Blossom Hill winemaker Carol Thorup, who passed away on 5 September at the age of 57 from cancer.

Carol began her career with Almaden Vineyards in 1982 at the Almaden facility on Blossom Hill Road in San Jose. In 1983, Carol moved to San Benito County where she began working at Almaden Vineyards in Paicines. Diageo purchased the Paicines Facility in 1987 and in 1993 it was renamed, "Blossom Hill Winery” at which time Carol took the position of winemaker and has worked with Blossom Hill for more than 18 years.

Blossom Hill is one of the leading wine brands in the UK and one of the leading Californian wine brands.

Percy Fox general manager Simon Lawson, said: “Carol’s passing has hit us all very hard indeed, she will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. She was a very unassuming and modest person, greatly respected for her winemaking philosophy, a good friend to many in the Percy Fox team and has been pivotal to the development of Blossom Hill.”