The wine world is mourning the loss of one of its most charismatic characters, Donald Hess passing away at the age of 86.

The Swiss-born entrepreneur is most associated with his Napa Valley operation, the hills of Mount Veeder providing the home for his world-famous Hess Collection wines. As well as his love of wine, he was an avid art collector, installing a three-storey art gallery above the winery tasting room at Napa.

Born in 1936, he inherited a brewery from his father near Bern, selling up to invest the proceeds in a mineral spring in Vals close to the Italian border – turning Valser into Switzerland’s top brand.

He headed to the US in the late 1970s to expand his mineral water business, instead focusing more on wine – visiting Napa Valley he was drawn to Mount Veeder, purchasing 283 hectares in 1978. The first Hess Collections came in 1983, the business pioneering sustainable viticulture and revolutionising wine tourism in the region, helped by his establishment of an art gallery.

He moved on to Argentina where he made further vineyard acquisitions around the Calchaqui Valleys, establishing four estates totalling 150 hectares.

He was back in his birthplace, Bern, when he died, surrounded by family. He leaves a wife, Ursula, daughter Alessandra, stepdaughters Larissa and Sabrina, and five grandchildren.