PASO ROBLES, CA, (Sept. 4, 2020) – Sam Balakian, president and winemaster of
SVP Winery in Paso Robles, passed away on August 31, 2020. With a winemaking
career spanning more than 50 years, Balakian was respected as one of the
most experienced winemakers in California and trusted for his steadfast
commitment to producing quality bulk wines at a fair price. As founder of
SVP Winery in 1999, he successfully established the business as a preferred
California bulk wine supplier with past and present clients including Vinum
Cellars, Francis Coppola Winery, JAM Cellars, Don Sebastiani & Sons, San
Antonio Winery, and many more.
Born to Armenian immigrants, Balakian was raised on a raisin farm in
Parlier, California where he inherited his parents’ strong work ethic and an
even stronger will to succeed. He earned his B.S. in Enology from Fresno
State in 1964 where he walked the stage as one of the first graduates of the
university’s newly established winemaking program. He followed undergrad
with a master’s degree in Food Science from the University of California at
Davis and after graduation in 1966, he immediately ventured into the world
of wine.
Balakian began his career with United Vintners in Madera, California where
he made wine for the Italian Swiss Colony and Mission Bell Winery. In 1972,
took up post as Winemaker and Vice President of Production at California
Growers Winery, one of the five largest wineries in the state at the time. A
decade later, he landed at ASV Wines in California’s Central Valley where he
met his wife, Valerie Balakian, and served as Winemaker and Vice President
from 1982 to 1998.
With 30 years of industry experience under his belt, Balakian and Valerie
took the leap into business ownership and launched SVP Winery in 1999 with
the mission of producing exceptional bulk wines at affordable prices.
Described by winery partners as the, “winemaker’s winemaker,” Balakian’s
passion for wine and compassion for his customers was a welcomed rarity in
the industry.
“Sam was so integrated and invested in the business that he often was the
person answering the phones as well as weighing in and out the trucks for
bulk wine transfers and grape deliveries,” said Richard Bruno, President,
Vinum Cellars. “When you visited Sam at the winery, you never left empty
handed. He always sent you away with a bottle of olive oil or walnuts from a
farmer buddy or a jar of his famous traditional Armenian pickles called
Torshi. I not only lost my business partner of 20 years, but my best
friend.”
“My first introduction to Sam was over 50 years ago during year when there
was very little red wine in California,” said Santo Riboli, President, San
Antonio Winery. “Our small winery began asking producers if they had some to
spare. We did not know Sam, but we made a call to the winery where he was GM
and winemaker. I found out later that Sam called our bank where he learned
that we were hard working people of integrity to which Sam shipped us twice
as much wine as we asked for on credit. He was a man of integrity and a
handshake was his word.”
“Trust and integrity defined Sam,” said Don Galleano, President, The
Historic Galleano Winery. “And he expected the same from those with whom he
did business. He was a colleague, partner and mentor, but most of all, a man
I was humbled to call a friend for more than 40 years. He will be greatly
missed.”
“Sam was an icon in the California wine industry,” said Todd Azevedo, Global
Wine & Grape Broker, Ciatti Company. “He was a mentor, business partner and
friend. I was truly lucky to have him be a part of my professional and
personal life.”
In the wake of Balakian’s passing, Valerie and the exceptional SVP
winemaking team led by Justin Kahler are committed to carrying on the legacy
that Balakian spent a lifetime creating. SVP Winery is currently harvesting
and processing the 2020 vintage and has the continued support of
longstanding winery partners including Galleano, Riboli and Bruno.
Balakian is survived by his wife Valerie Balakian and their children: Erica,
Trevor and Taryn. Valerie will also continue production of their small,
family-owned label established in 2000, Tarrica Wine Cellars, which she and
Balakian named as a derivative of their daughter’s names, Taryn and Erica.
The family plans to hold a celebration of life in the Spring of 2021.
