Ernest Gallo
| Ernest Gallo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
March 18, 1909 Jackson, California |
| Died |
March 6, 2007 (aged 97) Modesto, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | vintner |
| Known for | E & J Gallo Winery |
| Spouse(s) | Amelia Franzia |
Ernest Gallo (1909–2007) was an American businessman. He co-founded the E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California.
Biography
Early life
He was born on March 18, 1909, in Jackson, California.[1][2][3][4]
His grandparents immigrated from Italy to the United States.[2] His father was Giuseppe Gallo, a.k.a. Joseph, and his mother, Assunta Bianco Gallo, a.k.a. Susie.[2] Together his uncle Michael, his father ran the Gallo Wine Company, a wine distribution company.[2] His mother's family, the Biancos, were winemakers.[2] In the 1920s, his parents purchased a farm near Modesto, California, and sold their grapes.[2] He had a brother, Julio Gallo (1910-1993), and another brother, Joseph.[2] On June 21, 1933, his father shot his mother and killed himself.[2]
He graduated from high school.[5]
Career
Shortly after the prohibition of alcohol from 1919 to 1933 in the United States, he co-founded the E.&J. Gallo Winery, using $5,900 in borrowed cash.[1][2][3][4] He became head of sales, marketing and distribution.[3]
Personal life
He was married for sixty-two years to Amelia (Franzia) Gallo (1930-1993). The couple had two sons: David Gallo (died 1997), and Joseph Gallo. He was ranked 297th on the 2006 Forbes 400 list of billionaires, with an estimated wealth of US$1.2 billion.[2][3][5] He died on March 6, 2007.
Bibliography
- Henderson, Bruce, with Ernest and Julio Gallo. Ernest & Julio: Our Story. Times Books, 1994
References
- 1 2 Harvard Business School
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Frank Prial (March 7, 2007). "Ernest Gallo, 97, Founder of Winery, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- 1 2 3 4 "Billionaire winemaker Ernest Gallo dies". USA Today. March 7, 2007.
- 1 2 Ernest Gallo last retrieved March 6, 2007
- 1 2 #645 Ernest Gallo