Wine Industry: Marvin Shanken dies at 83

Marvin R. Shanken, the publisher and editor who reshaped the American wine industry, died Thursday in Manhattan. He was 83. His leadership of Wine Spectator magazine helped define how consumers evaluated and purchased wine for decades.

Shanken began his career in 1972 when he bought Impact, a small industry newsletter. That publication became a primary resource for wine and spirits professionals. In 1979, he purchased the struggling Wine Spectator newspaper. He moved the operation from San Diego to San Francisco and converted it into a glossy magazine that reached more than 100,000 subscribers.

The magazine used a 100-point rating system to simplify the buying process for general audiences. This approach made fine wine more accessible to everyday consumers. Wine Spectator also played a major role in raising the international profile of the Napa Valley region. The publication expanded its coverage to include travel, cooking, and restaurants, and it recently marked its 50th anniversary.

W. Blake Gray of Wine-Searcher noted the publication's influence on production methods. “It was an extremely influential publication that, along with Robert Parker, actually affected the way wine was made,” Gray told the New York Times. He added that the magazine could prompt wineries halfway around the world to alter their production techniques.

Beyond Wine Spectator, Shanken founded Cigar Aficionado and Market Watch. He also acquired Food Arts and Malt Advocate, the latter of which was renamed Whisky Advocate. He established the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation and took over the Wine Experience weekend event. This event connects producers with consumers. He also launched the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Shanken studied business at the University of Miami and earned an MBA from American University in Washington. He started in investment banking on Wall Street. A trip to California to finance a vineyard purchase sparked his interest in the wine business. He left banking to run the Impact newsletter after receiving strong support from beverage wholesalers.

Wine Spectator described him as a key educator for millions of Americans. The magazine noted that he tirelessly encouraged winemakers to produce their best work for customers. Shanken is survived by his wife, Hazel Rudy, daughters Jessica, Allison, and Samantha, four grandchildren, and two sisters.