Career
He has been described by Frank J. Prial as "one of California"s foremost wine writers" and "the sage of Saint Helena", and by Steve Heimoff as "the dean of California wine writers". From 1965 to 1969, Thompson worked with the Media Services of the Wine Institute. The book The California Wine Book written in conjunction with Hugh Johnson was published in 1976.
Thompson has written several books on the California wine region including Notes on a California Cellarbook and The Wine Atlas of California and the Pacific Northwest, made numerous contributions to magazines and newspapers such as San Francisco Examiner, and has functioned as an international wine judge.
He was designated as the 1989 "wine writer of the year" by the magazine Wines and Vines. On the subject of Pinot noir, Thompson has stated, "Even where it prospers, needs to be coaxed, wheedled, flattered, cajoled, cursed and (or) prayed over almost ounce by ounce through a series of crises that starts at the fermenters and lasts beyond bottling".
