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Napa Winery Employee Killed In Workplace Accident

NAPA (CBS SF) - The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health was investigating the death of an assistant winemaker at Ancien Wines in Napa.

The 43-year-old Napa man, identified by Ancien Wines as Gustavo Muro, died while transferring wine from a small tank to a larger tank at about 7 p.m. Wednesday, Cal-OSHA spokeswoman Krisann Chasarik said.

It's believed that the employee died when he fell while he was looking into the small, 6-foot tank to make sure all the wine had been transferred, Chasarik said.

Curtis Strohl, marketing director of Ancien Wines, said Muro worked for the past three years at the business at 4047 E. Third Ave. in Napa.

"All of us at Ancien Wines are saddened and shocked by the loss of Gustavo Muro. He was a true friend, and words cannot begin to express our sorrow. Our hearts are broken for his wife and daughters and all of his family and friends," Ancien Wines said on its website.

Ancien Wines said Muro was "passionate about his work and proud of its high quality. Ancien was always dependable, a true friend, father, husband and a good man."

Ancien wines produces pinot noir and chardonnay wines.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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