Wine Spectator’s Kim Marcus, 1959–2022

Wine Spectator is saddened to learn that our long-time colleague Kim Marcus passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Marcus, 62, joined Wine Spectator in 1988 and rose to the positions of senior editor, managing editor and Napa bureau chief before he retired in December. He was the lead taster for California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, along with Argentina and Chile, and he wrote many varied cover stories about wine regions around the world. He is survived by Wendy Marcus, his wife of 27 years.

“Kim was an extremely dedicated and significant part of the editorial team of Wine Spectator for more than three decades. His passing is an extraordinary loss to all of us,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher. “Our hearts go out to his wife, Wendy, who he met 30 years ago while they were both working together at M. Shanken Communications. There are few or no words that can bring comfort at this time.”

Kim Marcus reporting from the ground in Chile in 2014, when, as the lead taster for the country’s wines, he covered their growing success on the world stage