Jacques Recht

Date published: 3/13/2009

Jacques Recht

Jacques Recht, 78, born in Belgium and educated in England and Belgium, passed away at Riverside Hospital, Tappahannock, on Sunday, March 8, 2009.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Liliane, as well as sister Yvette Storck of Montross and grandnephew Robert John Storck.

His early career included 24 years as an engineer in European fermentation industries. During that time he became an avid sailor.

Jacques decided to take a sabbatical to build a 36-foot Wharram catamaran and to leave Belgium to cross the Atlantic. He and his wife, Liliane, left in August of 1978, arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in May of 1980. Prior to their U.S. arrival they traveled extensively, stopping in Spain, North Africa, Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Cabo Verde Islands, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Through the inland waterways they reached Yorktown on the Fourth of July 1980, a sign of their destiny. Stopping in Kinsale on the 11th, they were invited to a party at the Great House where they made the connection that ultimately led to a successful collaboration at Ingleside in Oak Grove.

From 1980 until 1995, Jacques was Ingleside Plantation Winery's first winemaker. Along with his Ingleside commitment Jacques consulted with wineries in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and, after his retirement, in Texas. Most recently, he consulted with a new winery, Athena Vineyards in Burgess.

Always interested in research, he helped found the ODU Enological Research Facility, which studies the health effects of Virginia wines.

Recognized worldwide for his expertise in enology, he wrote for Wine East magazine for 25 years, and was recently recognized by the American Wine Society with the 2007 Award of Merit for his achievements throughout the eastern U.S.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Riverside Tappahannock Hospice, 618 Hospital Road, Tappahannock, Va. 22560.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

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Date published: 3/13/2009