Guy Devaux; French-Born Maker of Sparkling Wines

Guy Devaux, 68, French-born winemaker and chemist who specialized in sparkling wines. After graduating from the University of Paris in chemistry and physics, Devaux began his career with Moet et Chandon in the Champagne district of France. Moving to the New York Finger Lakes area to work with wine pioneer Charles Fournier, Devaux became one of the first winemakers to use drip irrigation for grapevines. In 1979 he moved to the Napa Valley to create sparkling wine for Mumm Napa Valley. The winery’s sparkling wine called DVX is named in Devaux’s honor. At the time of his death, he was chairman emeritus of Mumm Napa Valley. On Wednesday in Fairport, N.Y., of bone marrow cancer.