Goodbye to an Era: Robert Mondavi

Filed in archive California Wines on May 17, 2008

The man who almost single-handedly created the California wine industry that we know today died yesterday at the age of 94. Robert Mondavi, born in 1913 to Italian immigrants, broke from the family wine business in 1966 at the age of 52 because he believed that California's wines, which at the time were mostly bulk wines, could compete with the great wines of France and Italy. His family and others scoffed, but the winery he founded led the movement that created the Napa Valley wine industry that thrives today.

Among his many accomplishments were introducing blind tastings in Napa Valley against french wines, the use of French oak barrels, and cold fermentation. He partnered with French vintner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild to produce the premium Opus One and was largely responsible for the legislation that protected the Valley's vineyards and restricted real estate and commercial developers. Yet among all that he had done, his wife of more than 60 years, Margrit told "Wine Spectator" magazine last year that it was his generosity that stood out. He was always happy to share equipment, his wine knowledge, and his encouragement to other vineyards.

Mr. Mondavi: congratulations on a life well-lived.

^{(photo © Flickr/laughing squid; cc license)}