the feast - Les Dames d'Escoffier - Vol. 2. Iss. 2

in memoriam

MARTINE SAUNIER (San Francisco)

Wine Industry Pioneer and Role Model for Entrepreneurial Women (1934-2025)

Martine Saunier, a trailblazing figure in the wine industry, passed away at 91. Born in Paris in 1934, her connection to wine began during childhood summers on her aunt's farm in Burgundy's Mâconnais region, where she worked as a grape picker and developed a fascination with winemaking.

After surviving the hardships of WWII in France, Martine's early career included working as an au pair in London, positions with British Airways and the Tunisian Consul General, and as executive assistant at Japan Airlines' Paris office.

In 1964, Martine moved to the United States. A pivotal encounter with André Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyard redirected her focus to importing quality wines. Her wine career began in earnest in 1969 when she started exploring French wine regions in her VW Bug, discovering exceptional producers.

Martine founded Martine's Wines in 1979, which she led for 33 years. Her company introduced many of France's finest family estates to the U.S. market, including Château Rayas, Henri Jayer, Maison Leroy, and Domaine Bernard-Bonin. Her exceptional palate earned her respect from producers who often tested her with blind tastings—challenges she typically mastered.

Martine’s industry recognition included:

• Chevalier du Tastevin

• Twice recipient of the French government title Officier du Mérite Agricole

• Membership in Les Dames d'Escoffier, a prestigious international organization of professional women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality

• Board member of the American Institute of Wine & Food

After selling her company in 2012 to Greg Castells, Martine embarked on a film career, starring in and producing a trilogy of wine documentaries: A Year In Burgundy (2013), A Year in Champagne (2014), and A Year in Port (2016).

Martine's legacy continues through her substantial bequest to Médecins sans Frontières and an educational fund for young women in the wine industry that will send recipients to Burgundy for advanced wine education. She is survived by two stepsons, Jeffrey Cregg and Huey Lewis, and a godson, Charles Limido. A celebration of her life will be held on April 13 in San Francisco's Ferry Building.

NANCY BRUSSAT (Chicago)

Leader, entrepreneur, and food-scene pioneer (1940-1925)

Nancy Brussat died peacefully in Evanston, Illinois, on January 18, 2025. There was no bigger fan of spending Christmas with the family, so it came as no surprise that just weeks before her passing, she found the strength to transform her impeccable home from art gallery to Christmas wonderland in order to—once again—spoil her family with copious gifts, delicious meals, and her inexhaustible generosity and love.

Nancy earned her BA at the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she met Bob Barocci, who she married. They raised two children, Robby and Candace. In 1976 Bob was transferred to London. and it was during these years when the world began to open up for her. After moving back to the United States in 1980, it would take her less than a year to open the doors of Convito Italiano, her first gourmet food shop in Wilmette, Illinois, which is still in operation today. Additional locations followed.

In 1982, Nancy joined Les Dames d’Escoffier and quickly took on leadership roles, serving two terms as president of the Chicago Chapter. She became the president of Les Dames d'Escoffier International in 1995. Nancy also became a member of the American Airlines Chefs’ Conclave in 1989; one of twelve, celebrated American chefs consulted on American’s First-Class food and beverage service.

In 1996, her daughter Candace joined Convito and became the general manager and a partner in the businesses. Nancy was recognized by the prestigious Vinarius Wine Society of Italy for “Outstanding Italian Wine Shop.” Just two years later, she won a Vide award for “Outstanding Achievement in Fostering Better Understanding and Appreciation of Italian Wines.”

Nancy was celebrated in print many times including in Food & Wine, Gourmet, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, Bon Appetit, and Chicago magazine. She published the blog series My Italian Journeys documenting her travels to every region of Italy from 1979 to 1986. Collaborating with her son Rob, she wrote 60 chapters over the course of 12 years (over 316 thousand words which is slightly shorter than Anna Karenina). In doing so, Nancy accidentally wrote her autobiography.

A Memorial for Nancy will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 28, 2025, at The Woman's Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Ave, Evanston, Illinois.

Gifts in her name can be made to any of the charities she supported: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; UNICEF K.I.N.D. Fund (Kids in Need of Desks); or Kellog Cancer Center.