Memorial Services Planned For California Vintner Mike Bonaccorsi

Cause of 43-year-old's death is still under investigation.

Posted: January 21, 2004

Three memorial services have been set for California winemaker Mike Bonaccorsi, 43, who died unexpectedly on Jan. 15 in his residence in Buellton, Calif., near his Bonaccorsi Wine Co. operations. A rising star in the wine industry, Bonaccorsi had recently made a splash with some outstanding Pinot Noirs from the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley.

The Santa Barbara County coroner's office declined to comment on reports that Bonaccorsi suffered a heart attack and said it could be another four to six weeks before an official cause of death is known. The coroner's office is awaiting the results of a toxicology screening, which usually takes two to four weeks, and it could be another two weeks before any final report is issued.

Meanwhile, the first memorial gathering, for family and close friends, will be at noon Sunday, Jan. 25 at Spago Beverly Hills, where Bonaccorsi once worked as the sommelier before starting his own winery. An RSVP is requested.

Jannis Swerman, a spokeswoman for Spago, said Bonaccorsi's wife, Jenne Lee, had asked that friends bring or submit anecdotes about her husband to be included in a tribute book. Submissions can be e-mailed to jannids@aol.com.

Services will be held in Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Chicago Club. The service begins at 11 a.m.

A third celebration of Bonaccorsi's life will be held in San Francisco, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Farallon restaurant. Friends are asked to bring photos of Bonaccorsi or share stories about the popular vintner.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bonaccorsi's name to either: