New York—Leslie Rudd, founding member of Vintage Wine Estates, died May 3 from esophageal cancer. He was 76. Rudd was the founder of The Rudd Group, which included Vintage Wine Estates, Convenant Wines, and Distillery No. 209 as well as Rudd Oakville Estate, Edge Hill Estate, Oakville Grocerty and the PRESS restaurant. Rudd also owned Witchita, Kan.-based Standard Beverage Corporation and launched the Rudd Foundation that focuses on education and health programs.

"Leslie Rudd is the definition of an entrepreneur. Like all great entrepreneurs, he was a forward-thinker," said Vintage Wine Estate president Pat Roney in a statement. "He had uncanny instincts about the future of food and beverage in America and his influence on our industry cannot be overstated.”