"Two pillars of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region passed away late last year, taking their stories with them: Robert (Bob) Mullen, who founded Woodside Vineyards in 1963, and Dr. Thomas Fogarty, renowned inventor of the balloon catheter, who also founded Thomas Fogarty Winery in 1981. Mullen died on Nov. 24, 2025, after celebrating his 99th birthday in February. He wanted to make it to 100, says his wife, Marsha Campbell. But his body just gave out."
"When the company moved him to San Francisco, he discovered wine at a work dinner. Charles Krug Grey Riesling so entranced him that he immediately went to a wine shop and bought himself a bottle. After being called back to the Navy during the Korean War and surviving a torpedo attack that killed 26 of his crew, Mullen and his then-wife Polly moved to Woodside in 1960,"
Robert Mullen, founder of Woodside Vineyards in 1963, died Nov. 24, 2025, after celebrating his 99th birthday. His wife, Marsha Campbell, is planning a 100th birthday party on Feb. 12 and a celebration of his life on Feb. 14 at Woodside Village Church, where he supplied communion wine. Born in Ohio, Mullen joined the U.S. Navy through college training, served in World War II and the Korean War, survived a torpedo attack, and later worked as a sales representative for Armstrong World Industries. After moving to San Francisco he discovered wine, partnered to make wine from the historic La Questa Vineyard, and bottled wines in pint and quart bottles that received worldwide acclaim. Dr. Thomas Fogarty, inventor of the balloon catheter and founder of Thomas Fogarty Winery in 1981, also died late last year.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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