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Wine critic Nina Bobillier, who had part Swiss and part New Zealand heritage, succumbed to the deadly infection in less than a fortnight on Monday, according to tributes posted online.
His devastated New Zealand-based family have spoken of their shock and appreciation for the love and support they receive from friends around the world.
“Thank you for all the lovely messages people have sent to our family about my beautiful sister Nina, who passed away at 7pm New Zealand time on Monday,” wrote her sister Caroline Botting on Facebook.
“My mother Marjory, Neen’s father Claude, Sister Kate, Cam, Leo and Alex and I appreciate their love and support,” she wrote.
There would be a funeral in Switzerland and a celebration of his life in New Zealand in the coming weeks.
Devastated friend and wine master Robin Kick wrote a heartfelt post revealing that the couple had just planned new adventures a few weeks ago.
“Now those beautiful moments will be sealed in time and will remain memories. We will not be able to add more. Covid took your life too soon.
“I will always remember your warmth and light. Please know that we all love you. Rest well with the angels.”
He said it was hard to believe that he was writing an obituary for his dear friend.
“I feel like I’m in a parallel universe, speaking with someone else’s voice and writing with someone else’s hands. It just doesn’t feel real.”
She described her connection to Bobillier as a “spiritual sister,” a person to whom she would feel close forever and a natural, effortless bond.
She said the deadly infection appeared to have taken her friend’s life in just over a week.
Another friend spoke of his cheerful demeanor.
“Nina Bobillier, you got carried away by this dirty disease. You are and will continue to be a beautiful person always positive,” wrote her friend Marie Tugend-Farias, who added a heartbroken emoji in the post.
Bobillier, who worked as a Lavaux-based wine journalist, earned several diplomas from Switzerland’s leading wine school.
A biography in Newly Swissed said that the writer, who contributed to the online flagship magazine, had previously worked in the European country’s wine and tourism industry as a wine writer, wine educator in hotels and finishing schools, tour operator and wine guide.
Bobillier had more than 14 years of professional experience in the industry and obtained multiple diplomas from Ecole du Vin de Changins, the leading wine school in Switzerland.
