In tribute to Litmus Wines’ Mike Florence

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 21 April, 2021

Friends, family and colleagues have paid tribute today to Mike Florence of Litmus Wines, who has sadly passed away following a long battle with Myeloma.

Florence, who was born in South Australia, came to the UK over 20 years ago where he soon found himself running the International Wine Challenge (IWC) before joining Litmus Wines as general manager.

He passed away from illness on Friday 16 April.

Today, he is being remembered for his remarkable organisational skills which saw him quickly become responsible for running the annual Great Shiraz Challenge at Adelaide’s Edinburgh hotel and cellars. He then moved to the UK and came to head up the IWC, where he made many lifelong friends in the UK wine trade.

After nine years at the IWC he would take a chance and join a tiny start up called Litmus Wines and soon became an equal partner in the company and a founding shareholder of The GinKing company.

Friends and colleagues paid homage to his “honesty, calmness, good nature and humour” which will be missed by many.

“Anyone that’s ever been with Mike when he found something funny will know what a deep rollicking belly laugh that brightens the mood is all about,” said one colleague.

He will be deeply missed by all that knew him, especially his wife Sarah and two children, Emilia and Cooper.

In memory of Florence, a fundraising page has been established for Myeloma UK. Please visit the Just Giving page here to donate and to find out more information.

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