William Jarvis, winery and conservatory co-founder, passes at 99
William Eugene Jarvis, the Napa Valley vintner whose boundless curiosity created a life filled with art, science – and wine – died on July 16, at his home in Napa. He was 99.
“Dad was a visionary who led a rich and adventurous life,” his son, William R. Jarvis, wrote in the announcement of his father’s passing.
“He served as an officer in the Navy before founding two successful companies – Wiltron and Jarvis Estate – in addition to the nonprofit Jarvis Conservatory. He was a loving father and a beloved husband to his wife, Leticia.
“He loved the classical performing arts, traveling the world, and remained a curious student his entire life. His life was full, inspiring, and well lived.”
Mr. Jarvis recounted his eventful life and his philosophy in his book, “Three Generations: Adventures in a Changing World, 1850-2000.”
He was born in Sayre, Oklahoma, on Nov. 15, 1925, and studied at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. After his graduation, he served as a line officer specialized in electronics engineering during the Korean War.
Completing his naval service, he went on to earn an MBA from Stanford University. He became one of the early employees at Hewlett Packard in Silicon Valley, before co-founding his own successful electronics company, Wiltron, in Palo Alto.
He led Wiltron for 31 years, during which he pioneered the development of microwave and radio frequency analyzers for telecommunication and radar applications. After the company was acquired by a Japanese company, Anritsu, he turned his energy to exploring the world and pursuing his many interests that ranged from languages, Greek philosophy, particle physics, music theory, and the performing arts.
He traveled extensively with his wife, Letitia, whom he met while visiting Puebla, Mexico. When something captured their interest, they plunged into wholehearted study. For example, when they decided to learn French, they moved to France, living in several towns and taking language and literature classes at universities including the Sorbonne in Paris.
Their time in Europe led to an interest in wine, which brought the couple to Napa. After studying at UC Davis, Mr. Jarvis began building his distinctive Jarvis Estate Winery nestled in the Vaca Mountain Range, between Mt. George and Milliken Canyon. To preserve the mountain landscape, he constructed a winery that was entirely underground, a spectacular achievement that included an underground stream and waterfall.
Grapes arrived at the winery, he was known to say, and did not emerge again until they were in the bottle and ready for the world. He worked with Dmitri Tchelistcheff, son of André Tchelistcheff who helped lead the revival of post-Prohibition wine-making in California, to make the renowned Jarvis wines.
He once entertained journalists with his descriptions of his early wine making efforts, which included his attempt to manage a pump-over on his own, dismaying his winemaker by accidentally pumping over wine from one vat into another.
Today, his son, William, leads the winery.
William and Leticia Jarvis also rescued and restored a 19th century winery in downtown Napa, transforming it into Jarvis Conservatory, a non-profit organization dedicated to the classical performing arts.
The conservatory produced Spanish zarzuela performances for many years, in addition to hosting a multitude of performances, including international films and an art film festival, a puppet festival and screenings of international opera. The longest-running program, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” features professional and emerging singers from the Bay Area and beyond, on the first Saturday of every month. Leticia Jarvis serves as president of the Jarvis Conservatory.
Mr. Jarvis is survived by his wife and their son, William R. Jarvis, as well as his former wife, Elsie Peyton Jarvis, and their children, Eugene Jarvis and Diane Jarvis. He was preceded in death by daughter, Helen Jarvis. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Private services are being planned by the family. Memorial messages may be sent to Jarvis Estate and will be shared with the family. Instead of gifts or flowers, the family asks that friends consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Jarvis Conservatory for the Arts.
