Born on April 19, 1948, in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Ned Carton was educated in local New Jersey schools, attended the Christian Brothers Academy High School, and then moved to Florida to attend the St. Leo’s University and Florida University, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1976.
During college, Ned played baseball and football, which set the stage for his interests in sports today as an avid golfer. Ned’s known for enjoying a really low handicap. According to wine industry publicist Dan Gustavson, “Ned probably played golf with half of the wine industry. Most people are going to remember him that way. He was great for making deals, and was a master at wining, dining, and schmoozing.”
Ned’s early career began in New Jersey, where he began with pharmaceutical sales;
When asked about Ned Carton, Dick Arrowood had this to say, “We’ve known each other for many, many years. Ned’s one of those people that it’s impossible to say anything but positive things about him. He had a heart as big as the all outdoors. I loved him like a brother. Throughout our lives together, I never lost the respect of his friendship. If you talk to anyone in the wine business who knew Ned, any one would tell you that he just had a lot going for him. Who wouldn’t remember him saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” faster than the tongue can speak? He will be greatly missed and stay in our hearts forever.”
Ned moved on to Four Vines Winery, where he was part owner from 1997 to 2001. From there, Ned became national sales manager at Mazzocco Vineyards, and began his close connection to winemaker Phyllis Zouzounis, who today is a winemaker partner of Deux Amis Winery.
The two wine professionals worked together at Mazzocco Vineyards until August 2005. When asked about her relationship with Ned, Phyllis had this to say, “Ned was a one of a kind, as well as a really good friend. When he was born, they broke the mold. He was versatile, funny, and had a way of pushing people when he saw good things in them. Not in a negative way, he just brought out the best in people, and then was very proud when that person went on to achieve great things. He loved his work. He loved his family… He loved life, and we all loved him.”
In September 2005, Ned Carton began his career with Trentadue Winery. Winemaker Miro Tcholakov remembers Ned, “He was an old-school professional. I called him Obiwan, because that’s what he was for me. He was a non-nonsense businessman whose original New Jersey roots had him down to the chase. He did what it took to get a job done, and yet he had this really gentle side to him that we all loved. I respected him so much, as did everybody. He was like a father figure to me. We bonded.”
Speaking for the Trentadue family, Victor Trentadue has said that Ned filled a big pair of shoes at their winery. “He was a cheerleader. He was always happy. He encouraged me to be my best, and then enjoyed my achievements. He was a great sounding board, always a good listener. He also knew everyone, everywhere by name; every wine shop owner, every restaurateur, and every gold course. I asked him if there was a golf course that he’d never played. He said that he had played them all. He worked hard, he played hard, and no one will ever be able to fill Ned’s shoes, again, the same way.”
In September 12 1979, Ned Carton married Barbara (Bobbi) Price in New Jersey, and they’ve lived in Santa Rosa, California together for the last 12 years.
Along with his wife, survivors include a daughter Nicole Collins and son-in-law Eric Collins of Palm Coast, FL, and a brother Richard Carton.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 26, at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville, CA.
