Huyshe Bower, a leading Port wine figure dies aged 82

Born in London in 1937, Maurice Huyshe Syndercombe Bower was educated at Eton College and served as a lieutenant in the 4^th/7^th Royal Dragoon Guards before joining his cousins, Richard and Stanley Yeatman, at the firm of Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman in Oporto. A gifted taster, with an acute nose and palate as well as an innate understanding of fine wine, he began his career in 1959 as part of the blending team before moving across to the vineyard and wine making side of the business.

In 1961, Huyshe was made a partner and turned his skills to sales and marketing, establishing, first a European, and then a worldwide distribution network for Taylor’s and its sister company Fonseca in what was, at the time, a very challenging time for the wine business. He was also instrumental in consolidating the reputation of both of these famous Port houses.

The trade as a whole is indebted to Huyshe for his important role in creating new markets for Port in places where it was virtually unknown and to expanding its presence in countries where it was already well established.

A charismatic figure, Huyshe was a charming, cultured and knowledgeable ambassador for Port and enjoyed great respect in wine circles around the world. He will be remembered with great affection by all who worked with him, by his trade colleagues and by the many people to whom he communicated his enthusiasm for Port over his long career. He leaves three sons, one of whom, Robert, has followed his father’s footsteps into the business.