Jose Leitao dies

The Portugese wine industry is mourning the death of José Leitao, who passed away on New Year’s Eve age 62.

From his work with the Portuguese Trade Office, and as a guiding force behind D&F Wine Shippers, Leitao was always at the forefront of the modern Portuguese industry.

He was instrumental in setting up the Association of Portuguese Wine Importers (APWI) in the UK, as a unique consultative body in the industry.

Leitao sat on the board of APWI every year since its inception, and without his enthusiasm, tenacity, knowledge and hard work, the Association could not have performed its pivotal role in helping Portugal stamp its character on the UK market.

Lifelong friend Vasco d’Avillez, president of ViniPortugal, said: “José was one of the first people to present and sell Portuguese wines in a modern way.

“He was always very close to the various ambassadors of Portugal and always there to ensure that wine events could take place at the Portuguese Embassy.

“He knew everyone in the wine business which he embraced early, certainly more than thirty years ago.”
 
A funeral mass will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 5XJ on Monday 17 January starting at 10.15am, followed by cremation at Forest Park Crematorium, Forest Road, Hainault, Essex IG6 3HP.

Alan Lodge, 10.01.2010