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• Teen dies in crash on Highway 12

• Galt City Council votes against transfer station

• Galt garbage debate

• Lodi grape growers mourn Gallo's passing

• $500,000 for public art in Lodi: How will it be spent?

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February 9th, 2010

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February 8th, 2010

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February 6th, 2010

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February 5th, 2010

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February 4th, 2010

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February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

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February 2nd, 2010

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Correction

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Lodi grape growers mourn Gallo's passing

Local grape growers Tuesday mourned the passing of Ernest Gallo, 97, whose wine empire relied largely on the grapes produced in Lodi's fertile fields.

Ernest Gallo

Gallo and his brother, Julio, co-founded E. and J. Gallo Winery in 1933. The company has contracted with Lodi area grape growers for several generations.

"They are an important part of Lodi and California and the world," said Bruce Fry, whose family runs Mohr-Fry Ranches in Lodi, and grows grapes for Gallo. "I'm sorry to hear he passed."

Fry, former president of the Lodi District Winegrape Growers Association, noted that the Modesto-based winemaking giant has provided local growers with fair contracts.

Gallo even provides growers with a bonus for grapes that meet high-quality thresholds, Fry said.

For Larry Mettler, owner of Arbor Vineyards in Lodi, the Gallo brothers will perhaps be best remembered as innovators.

"Ernest and Julio, these two guys were leaders in the industry from the beginning," said Mettler, whose family also grows grapes for Gallo. "They were very innovative in branding and marketing."

Julio passed away in 1993.

Mettler noted that Ernest Gallo in particular was so steeped in branding his product that he built his own glass factory to make Gallo wine glasses.

"I think he's going to be missed by the industry," Mettler said.

He added that the brothers were passionate about wine quality and supported the founding of grower research programs in the state.

Mark Chandler, executive director of the Lodi Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, said Ernest Gallo had a tremendous influence on both local growers and the wine industry across the nation.

"He was the guy that really built the American wine market," Chandler said.

First published: Wednesday, March 7, 2007