Patrick Sandeman
Many of you have heard of the terrible news from the weekend. Many have written and emailed and we and Patrick’s family are grateful for it.
For those who have not yet heard, it is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Patrick Sandeman died in a skydiving accident on Saturday.
We are all devastated by this news and of course all our thoughts are with Patrick’s wife Katie (who has always been an important member of the L&S team) and her family.
All of us at Lea & Sandeman are committed to redoubling our efforts and continue to build on the solid foundations of the company, certain that this is what Patrick would have wanted.
Please do not feel you have to leave us in peace or tread gently around us. The routine of business is the easy part of this difficult time.
If you would like to write to Katie please do so to the Fulham Road address simply marked ‘personal’. There are also books of condolence in the Fulham Road and Barnes shops.
Patrick’s family have requested that no flowers be sent to the house.
The whole Company will be closed for the day on Thursday the 4th of October. We will, however, do our best to deliver in the usual way – any orders received during the day via e-mail or on the website.
In memory of Patrick, his family have chosen the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust as the most suitable charity to channel donations. They will provide funds for spinally injured people to improve their lives generally and enable them to achieve their dreams. For donations please go to this site https://www.justgiving.com/patrick-sandeman-funding-extraordinary-journeys or you can donate by post to: Patrick Sandeman, Funding Extraordinary Journeys, c/o Southern Spinal Injuries Trust, 21 Chipper Lane, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1BG. Cheques made payable to SSIT.
It is too soon for me to write coherently about Patrick, friend and partner for twenty-five years and more. We have been through so much together. Many of you will have your own memories. The articles linked to below, and more that will no doubt appear in the next few days, will give some idea of how great is his loss to us all.
The Daily Telegraph – telegraph.co.uk
Jancis Robinson OBE MW – Jancis Robinson.com
The Wall Street Journal – Will Lyons
The Evening Standard – standard.co.uk
The Evening Standard – Andrew Neather – standard.co.uk
The Independent – independent.co.uk
Yours in great sorrow, on behalf of all at Lea & Sandeman
Charles Lea
How apt. I read the terribly sad news about Patrick and then on your website the wine of the week is from Terriccio!
I think I was part of the team on Patrick and Charles’ first visit to the estate. I remember the dinner, quite a lot of the evening in the Cambusa bar (1st and 2nd visit) but most of all what fun and engaging company (oh and a rather serious hangover)! Pucci found our recounting of the evening most amusing, well once we were able to stand and had regained the power of speech. That would be over ten years ago and I still wince at the memory.
A very sad loss for his family, friends, colleagues, customers and the wine industry. A bottle will be opened and drunk in his honour.
Amanda – Tenuta del Terriccio (before it became at ‘Castello’)