Soledad, Calif.—Richard Smith, a founder and leader of the Monterey County wine industry, died at home surrounded by his family on Dec. 27 from pancreatic cancer. He was 69.

Smith came to Monterey County in the early 1970s to start growing grapes and soon after founded Valley Farm Management and a custom harvesting business. After the success of those ventures, he later purchased 350 acres to form Paraiso Vineyards. He released the first Paraiso-labeled wines in 1989.

“My dad received his degree from U.C. Davis in Agricultural Science and Management and always thought of himself as a logical, process-oriented scientist and tinkerer, ” said Jason Smith, son and CEO of the companies Rich Smith founded more than 40 years ago. “But the outpouring of love and support we have received shows what a genuine thoughtful, passionate and compassionate person he really was. Whether you just met him or knew him for your entire life, he really cared about you and was interested in your story. He was a mentor, friend and positive influence on so many people.”

Smith was active in the local community and led the effort to establish the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in 1991. He was a founding member and future president of what was to become the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association.

In 1993, both Smith’s son Jason and daughter Kacy had graduated from the University of California, Davis and were working for the family businesses that they now manage. “My dad was lucky to be able to build a business — and a life — that enabled him to work with family every day. And to Rich Smith, family wasn’t just those of us who shared his name. Every employee, vendor, customer, competitor and consumer were part of his family.”