On Saturday, August 1, 2020, philanthropist Warner Henry passed away of natural causes at the age of 82.

Henry was known for his longtime support of the arts in the Southern California region, supporting organizations such as Camerata Pacifica, Los Angeles Opera, Chamber Orchestra, The Colburn School, Da Camera Society, Music Angelica and more.

Born in Los Angeles in 1938, Henry studied economics at Stanford University, where he discovered a love for classical music. In the 1980s, he founded the Henry Wine Group, which would become the largest importer, distributor, and broker of fine wines in the United States.

In 1986, Henry gave over $10 million to L.A. Opera, providing crucial funding for the emerging company. Henry and his wife Carol have also underwritten a number of L.A. Opera productions, such as “The Coronation of Poppea,” “Don Giovanni,” “La Clemenza di Tito,” through the Carol and Warner Henry Production Fund for Mozart Operas.

Adrian Spence, Artistic Director of Camerata Pacifica, wrote on Henry’s lasting impact, saying, “For those who’ve had a particular performance touch their hearts those notes ring still, never to be dulled. That’s a legacy, and that’s the inextinguishable nature of this wonderful art form. While we have the privilege to be with it, we are its stewards, with a responsibility to hand it to the next generation more than when we received it. Warner certainly has done his part.”

Henry is survived by his wife Carol, their children Will, Katie, and Mike, as well as nine grandchildren.