Ernest Gallo dies aged 97

Ernest Gallo, co-founder of E&J Gallo Winery, died yesterday at the age of 97. He started the company, at one time the largest wine producer in the world, with his brother Julio (who died in 1993) in 1933.

Ernest and Julio Gallo grew up and worked in a vineyard owned by their father near Modesto in California. Now known as Gallo Family Vineyards, the company sells an estimated 75 million cases a year. Gallo, who would have turned 98 on the 18th of March, "passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family," said vice president of public relations, Susan Hensley.