Tarik Wildman, grandson of Frederik Wildman—the founder of the prestigious New York-based fine wine and Champagne merchant Wildman & Sons—has passed away from unknown causes. He was discovered deceased in his Marbella villa on Sunday, June 8, shortly after returning from a car rally in Italy.
A statement issued by The Classic and Sports Car Club of Andalucia, where Wildman was an active member, described him as “a legend and a titan,” lamenting that “the world here will never see the like and will never be the same again.” The statement highlighted his recent involvement in organising and participating in the Team Schh rally in Italy, driving his cherished Lancia Flamina. “His passion for life in general and motoring in particular was something that others could only envy,” it added.
Wildman was 65 years old.
A Legacy Rooted in Wine and Heritage
Tarik Wildman’s connection to the wine industry was deeply rooted in family history. Wildman & Sons, established by his grandfather Frederik S. Wildman Senior, has been a prominent importer of fine European wines, including Champagne Pol Roger, Domaine Armand Rousseau, Domaine Leflaive, and Chateau Fuisse, consistently serving the US market for decades.
The company’s origins date back to the 1930s, when Frederik Wildman Senior discovered a passion for wine while stationed in France as an American soldier during World War I. His expertise soon caught the attention of General Pershing, who tasked him with selecting wine pairings for officers’ dinners. After the war and the end of Prohibition in 1933, Wildman acquired Bellows & Co, a wine importer and gourmet food purveyor, which he later sold to National Distilleries. Building on this foundation, he launched Wildman & Sons Limited in 1952.
Frederik Wildman Senior retired in 1971, after which Wildman & Sons became a subsidiary of Canadian whisky giant Hiram Walker for roughly two decades. During this period, the company forged critical partnerships, notably with Italian wine conglomerate Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV) and French liqueur Chartreuse—famed among mixologists for its distinctive bitter flavor—driving the firm’s growth.
Corporate Transitions and Expanding Portfolios
In 1993, Richard Cacciato, then-president of Wildman & Sons, led a buyout to regain control of the company from Hiram Walker. This move was supported by an investment group including key French wine suppliers such as Champagne Pol Roger and Olivier Leflaive.
Today, Wildman & Sons operates as a multimillion-dollar enterprise, boasting a portfolio of over 60 brands. The company’s Italian holdings span renowned regions including Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, and Abruzzo, while its Spanish selections cover Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Rias Baixas, Toro, and Castilla-La Mancha.
Burgundy producers like Anne Parent, Antonin Guyon, Armand Rousseau, Comte Armand, and Bruno Clair feature prominently in the company’s offerings, complemented by Bordeaux estates such as Chateau Saint-Sulpice and Castlenau de Suduiraut. This selection reflects broader US consumer trends, where Burgundy, Bordeaux, and California wines rank as top interests, according to David Parker, president of the National Association of Wine Retailers.
The portfolio also includes fine wines from South Africa’s Stellenbosch, Australia’s Barossa Valley, and Argentina’s Mendoza, alongside notable domestic producers from Oregon and Napa Valley. Champagne partners remain anchored by Pol Roger, Champagne Collet, and Champagne Valentine Lafleive.
Unclear Role in the Family Business
Tarik Wildman’s direct involvement in Wildman & Sons has not been publicly detailed. His LinkedIn profile identifies him as managing director of the financial planning firm PJ Investments and principal of Wildman & Co Ltd at the time of his death.
The circumstances surrounding his sudden passing remain unknown as the wine and motoring communities mourn the loss of a figure described as both passionate and influential.
