Sam Sebastiani Jr.

There is a saying, "There are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters.  But there are no old, bold mushroom hunters."  Today marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Sam Sebastiani Jr.. 

An Italian immigrant Samuele Sebastiani founded Sebastiani Winery in Sonoma in 1904.  The winery was in the family for the rest of the century.  Sam Sebastiani Jr. was the great grandson of Samuele.  On January 5, 1997 Sam went for a picnic with friends.  While on the picnic he consumed amanita phalloides mushrooms.  Later that day he became ill only to die three days later.    

Amanita phalloides poisoning resembles acetaminophen poisoning.  Both cause similar hepatic damage.  The breakdown of liver function effects everything from how your blood clots (it won't) to how your brain works (encephalopathy results).  Eventually your liver stops working, and in the case of Sam Sebastiani, death ensues.  The search for a treatment for amanita poisoning has been going on for centuries.  Today the best we can do is aggressive supportive care.  There is no antidote.  For a lucky few liver transplant can be performed.   In fact, Sam Sebastiani was on the transplant list before he became to ill. 

Isn't that amazing?  A mushroom that has been around since time began.  A mushroom that starting killing people as soon as man and animals starting picking and eating it.  A mushroom that killed in 1997 and kills today.  We still don't have an effective antidote.  Amazing.  

So today in honor of Sam Sebastiani eat a wonderful Italian meal, but hold the mushrooms.  Instead have a good bottle of California wine.  And remember, "There are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters. But there are no old, bold mushroom hunters."