Clifford Louis Abbey, age 66, of St. Helena, California, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2012, after a long battle with early onset Alzheimer’s.
He is survived by his wife, Clare Luce Abbey of St. Helena, California, sister Jan Cagle of Eugene, Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cliff was born December 10, 1945 in Santa Cruz, California and raised in Sweet Home, Oregon. He attended Oregon State University. After a brief career with the Van Heusen Company, he started “Sticky Fingers”, a blue jean company, which he sold in the early 80’s. Passionate about Northern Italian cuisine, he then opened Trattoria Contadina in San Francisco’s North Beach, which quickly became a very popular hangout for all walks of San Francisco society. After several years, he returned to his original passion of designing and manufacturing blue jeans by starting San Francisco 415 Company with his wife. San Francisco 415 Company manufactured blue jeans and sportswear for several labels including Agnelli, Sutter’s and Ivy Brown.
Cliff’s passion for wine brought him to the Napa Valley on many occasions and in 1991, he and his wife purchased a hillside vineyard and home in St. Helena. After replanting and learning about viticulture for several years, and selling grapes to the industry, they began making Clare Luce Abbey Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a very well received limited production which was ultimately sold in 2008.
A Memorial Service celebrating Cliff’s life will be held on Saturday, January 21, at 3:30 at Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring Street, St. Helena.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Napa Valley Hospice, 414 South Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559.
Arrangements under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, CA.
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