Edna Valley Vintner Catharine Niven Dies

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Dana Nigro
Posted: February 9, 1999

Catharine Headley Niven, matriarch of the Niven family of vintners in Edna Valley, Calif., died at her home in Arroyo Grande on Saturday, Feb. 6, after a long illness. She was 79.

In 1975, Catharine and her husband, Jack, moved to San Luis Obispo, where they developed the Edna Valley viticultural area and established the Paragon Vineyard Co., which grew to be one of the largest landowners in the region.

The Niven family also co-owns Edna Valley Vineyards with the Chalone Wine Group, owns Baileyana winery in Edna Valley and co-owns the new Seven Peaks label with Australia's Southcorp wine company.

Catharine is survived by her two sons, John and James, and two daughters, Jane and Julia.

Services were held Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at Grace Church in San Luis Obispo, followed by a reception at Edna Valley Vineyard. Donations in memory of Catharine Niven can be mailed to:

Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Attn: Gift Processing
770 Welch Road, Suite 350
Palo Alto, CA 94304

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