Mark Osborne, a Santa Rosa cyclist who died last week after being hit by an alleged drunk driver near Sevastopol earlier this month, is known to friends as an experienced winemaker and outdoor enthusiast, who has brought a “light and joy” to those who knew him. .

Osborne, 53, from Australia and a winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery in Healdsburg, was one of two seriously injured cyclists on May 12 when a driver apparently under the influence of alcohol crashed into a van alongside High School Road, according to CHP.

The two runners were transported to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Osborne died of his injuries Thursday. The other cyclist, a 12-year-old boy, was then taken to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland where he is still a patient. The two didn’t know each other and just happened to be riding in the same area when they got hit.

Tracy Hinman, Osborne’s nine-year life partner, said people were drawn to his friendly, laid-back demeanor whether he was working in the cellar, on a group mountain bike ride, or as he dressed in costume with Hinman to see live productions of The Rocky. Exhibition of horror images.

“He was super easy going, nothing bothered him,” Hinman said. “He loved everyone. He didn’t have to pretend to be nice to people.

Osborne was a hiker, kayaker, runner and marathoner, competing in races such as the Annadel Half Marathon, Kenwood Footrace, and the San Francisco Marathon. He also loved to travel, especially in countries with active volcanoes. He and Hinman were considering buying a second home in Italy that Osborne would repair and where they could eventually retire.

Obsorne moved to Sonoma County from Austalia in 2007 as a winemaking intern at the Gary Farrell winery and continued to work there. He worked his way up to the oenologist, specializing in the chemistry and biology of wine production.

Before coming to the United States, he spent his young age as a bicycle courier. In his thirties he became interested in the wine industry, earning degrees in winemaking at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE and Charles Sturt University in New South Wales.

Brent McKoy, associate winemaker at Gary Farrell, hired Obsorne and described him as a close friend. McKoy said Obsorne was just as adept in the cellar lab as he took on hands-on tasks around the property.

The lab, where Osborne played music while he worked, was the “funniest center in the cellar,” McKoy said.

“He was everyone’s favorite,” he said of Osborne. “He was the life of the party – just a laid back sort of Aussie guy.”

Osborne was thirsty to learn and always loved having a new project, Hinman said. He recently obtained his pilot’s license and has just started an electrician course. The couple also recently started beekeeping, which appealed to Osborne’s affinity for science and practical work.

“He didn’t even like honey. He liked the idea of ​​helping the environment, ”Hinman said.

When Osborne was struck on his bike, he was riding the road a short distance to get from trail to trail, Hinman said. He was primarily a mountain biker and tried to avoid the busy roads of Sonoma County as much as possible.

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, a bicycle advocacy group, placed a white “ghost bike” memorial at the crash scene on High School Road, south of Gaye Road. The coalition has been in contact with Hinman about planning a trip in his memory.

The man suspected of hitting Osborne, Ulises Valdez Jr., 27, of Sevastopol, is the manager of the Valdez family winery. Valdez was arrested on suspicion of a DUI felony after he was taken to Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. He was returned to the hospital at the time, said CHP agent David DeRutte. Valdez is no longer a patient in the hospital, DeRutte said on Monday.

Sonoma County Assistant Chief Prosecutor Brian Staebell said Valdez had not been charged with a felony. The prosecutor’s office will decide whether to prosecute once prosecutors receive more information from the CHP about the fatal collision, Staebell said.

Osborne is survived by his parents, Sean and Anne Osborne; her sister, Paula Matters; his nephew, Luke Matters; and his niece, Lauren Matters. All are from Adelaide, Australia.

Hinman said family members were waiting to see when they could travel to the United States to plan a memorial for Osborne and celebrate his life.

“He was just a good guy, as he would say,” Hinman said.

You can contact Ethan Varian, editor, at [email protected] or 707-521-5412. On Twitter @ethanvarian.