Joseph Gallo Dies

Joseph Edward Gallo, who built a dairy empire apart from his wine baron brothers despite losing an acrimonious legal battle with them over the right to use the family name on the cheese he produced, has died. He was 87.

Gallo, who had been in declining health for several years after a stroke, died Saturday at his home in the San Joaquin Valley city of Livingston, announced his company, Joseph Gallo Farms. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for more than a decade, said John Whiting, his lawyer and close friend.

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After establishing a cheese-production company in 1982, he began selling the product to consumers under the label Joseph Gallo Cheese.

His older brothers sued him — claiming trademark infringement — and denounced the cheese as an inferior product that could damage the winery's reputation. The lawsuit also referred to him as an unknown cheese maker, and the charges infuriated him, Whiting said.

"I have only got one name," Joseph told reporters outside the courtroom in 1988. "I don't know how I'm supposed to look for another one."

The federal judge ruled that using the Gallo name confused consumers, leading them to think that the cheese was connected to the winery. He ordered the name changed on the package. Now sold under the Joseph Farms label, it is the largest-selling retail-brand cheese produced in California, according to the company.

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"He was a very optimistic person and very hard-working," said his son, Michael, who took over as chief executive officer of Joseph Gallo Farms when his father retired. "He believed in leadership by example and would literally work right alongside his employees."

In addition to Michael, Gallo's survivors include his wife of 41 years, Patricia; daughter Linda; stepson Sam Gardali; brother Ernest; and six grandchildren. His brother Julio died in 1993.

Rest In Peace, Joseph.