03/12/2026
Our Canvas Health community is grieving the loss of Valley Vine & Harvest Throwdown wine expert and ardent Canvas Health supporter, Andy Kass.
Our friend and current event Master of Wine, Ashley from SSo What Wine shared a beautiful reflection today:
"I was so sad to just now hear this news that Andy Kass, a former wine shop giant in our town, recently passed away. I only met Andy and his wife once and spoke to him a couple times on the phone, but his impact has been felt since before I even opened.
Moving to Stillwater in 2020 with a background in wine, it seemed everyone I met who knew I wanted to open a specialty shop had a story to share about this man who brought his love and passion for wine, travel, and food to Stillwater shortly after setting eyes on it in 1968 through his shop: Sutler’s. It was warm, informative, and built on curiosity and inclusion. It was recognized as one of the best in the Twin Cities over the years.
His involvement with the community went far beyond those four walls though. He was greatly involved with non-profits, community boards, the library, schools, the food shelf, and Canvas Health. In fact, one of the first mentions/accolades I heard of Andy was when I was asked to be the lead on pairing food and wine for the Canvas Health fundraiser. They recalled how beautifully Andy used to do that when he had his store. Canvas was our first customer, even before the doors opened! I have related to and looked up to this man I hardly ever knew! But, oddly, I feel like I did so well. I can only hope to one day have the reach that he has had in the valley. He is such an inspiration to me and others.
More than anything, it was the time he took for others that comes back again and again when people talk about him. Even in his obituary, the family writes “His life was about serving others. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. He loved art, the theater, good books, classical and jazz music. He loved people, cooking, and matching food with wine. Like his cooking, his life was flavored with friends from around the world.” What great human.
Last Fall, he and I were discussing the possibility of doing a tasting together - a bit of a fireside chat where I could ask him all kinds of questions about his life in wine and as a community member here in Stillwater. He was so humble, explaining that he really didn’t want to talk about himself, but he was open to trying to make something like this work. I told him how so many of my customers asked about him or shared stories - that they would love an evening tasting the wines that punctuated his experiences in life. I am so sad we won’t be doing that. I had no idea his time here was nearly done.
Anyway, this is for all of you who maybe also had not heard and hold a sweet spot for him in your hearts."
