Niles, IL – Sept 7, 2023 – Winesellers, Ltd. and Master Wines are mourning the loss of partners and Master Wines founders Melvyn (Mel) and Jane (Janie) Master, passing peacefully on September 2nd, both at the age of 79. To know Mel and Janie was to understand the true meaning of love, commitment, and partnership. Their story began when they were children in England, brought together by fate and setting the stage for a lifelong romance. Mel and Janie got married in 1964 and then began their worldwide food and wine adventures.
The Masters first went to Portugal for an apprenticeship at Sandeman, then to Chateau Palmer in Bordeaux. Delaunay in Burgundy was next, all this, while working with multiple growers in the Rhône Valley. Mel became a published author and co-wrote the first comprehensive book about the wines of Côtes du Rhône. When Mel started selling wine in the U.S. market from Georges Duboeuf and the original celebrity chef, Paul Bocuse, Mel took his family across the pond to live in Denver, Colorado. There, Janie launched a master cooking school and the couple opened restaurants with Tom and Sally Jordan, with Mel later becoming Marketing & PR Manager of their winery, Jordan Vineyard & Winery.
While living in California in the 1980’s and influenced by pioneering chef, Alice Waters, Mel and Janie soon moved east for their next adventure, partnering with Jonathan Waxman to introduce California Cuisine in New York City with their restaurant Jam’s (aptly named for Jonathan and Mel). In the 1990’s the Masters would return to Denver to open Mel’s Bar & Grill, named by Esquire Magazine as one of the top 25 new restaurants in the U.S. It was also at this time that their wine brand Les Jamelles was created with much success and sold to their French partners in the late 1990’s.
Mel met Yale Sager of Winesellers in the late 1970’s, igniting a partnership spanning five decades and two generations of Master and Sager family relations, friendship and unbreakable bond. After partnering on importing Duboeuf, The Masters and Sagers began creating their own brands together. Tiamo from Italy was the first project, eventually partnering on Tortoise Creek, and later launching Le Charmel, Mont Gravet and Kin & Cascadia. The highly successful brands that the Masters and Sagers created and built together have won multiple awards such as Shanken’s Impact “Hot Prospects” and Beverage Dynamics “Growth Brands,” along with Best Buys, Best Values and high marks from all of the major wine scoring publications.
Mel and Janie’s son Charles (Charlie) Master will be carrying on the partnership representing Master Wines. They are also survived by Charlie’s sisters, Amy and Sophie Master and several grandchildren.
ABOUT WINESELLERS, LTD.
Founded in 1977 by Yale Sager, Winesellers, Ltd. is a second generation, family-owned and globally recognized importer, and marketer of fine wines to the U.S. market. Our portfolio represents some of the finest quality in their respective price categories, with widespread distribution throughout all 50 states. Our team of regionally based sales professionals make it possible to sell our products through a network of key distributors partners renowned for excellent account service.
ABOUT MASTER WINES
Master Wines is a family wine company owned and operated by Mel, Charlie and Janie Master in partnership with Winesellers Ltd., a national importing company based in the Chicago area. Their highly successful brands include Tortoise Creek from California, Le Charmel, Mont Gravet from France, Tiamo from Italy, and Kin and Cascadia from Washington and Oregon.
