OAKVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Napa Valley’s iconic Robert Mondavi Winery marked its milestone 50th Anniversary today with a joyful, public celebration that brought together winery staff, alums and the community-at-large. Congressman Mike Thompson, Napa County Board of Supervisor Diane Dillon and other local dignitaries were on hand to congratulate the winery, recalling Robert Mondavi’s enormous contributions to the region, and to American winemaking.
Mr. Mondavi established his winery in 1966, inspired by the belief that he could produce world-class wines to rival the best international bottles. He was a tireless champion, both for his own winery and for the Napa Valley. Today, he is widely recognized for his pivotal role in transforming the Napa Valley from a quiet agricultural community to one of the world’s preeminent winegrowing regions. In addition to his own stellar wines, his now eponymous winery served as a training ground for other winemakers who went on to greatness in their own right: Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich – both Judgment of Paris winners – to name a few. Described as a man without a rear view mirror, he was constantly seeking innovations in the vineyard and cellar that translated into ever improving wine quality.
“We all grew up here. We had an inspired leader that charged forward,” recalled Tim Mondavi, son of Robert Mondavi and owner of Continuum Estate. “Everything was about doing the best, about what made great wine tick, and how we do that together as a family.”
Along with his wife Margrit, Mr. Mondavi was also deeply committed to promoting the region as a center for food, wine and the arts. This longstanding winery tradition was on full display at the Saturday event with performances by local artists: Ballet Folklorico el Valle, River School World Percussion, Shelby Lanterman and Full Chizel. The culinary arts were also celebrated with cooking demonstrations by four Napa Valley chefs including Cindy Pawlcyn, Victor Scargle, Bob Hurley and Giovanni Guerrera. Masters of Wine Mark de Vere and Peter Marks led tastings of some of the winery’s finest bottles including those sourced from the estate’s renowned To Kalon Vineyard. Other highlights of the day included: a multi-tiered wine “cake” made with Robert Mondavi Winery bottles spanning 50 vintages, live art demonstrations, food trucks and buggy rides through the vines.
Reflecting on the 50th Anniversary milestone, Genevieve Janssens, a protégé of Robert Mondavi and Director of Winemaking for the past 19 years, observed, “Mr. Mondavi was a true visionary who never wavered in his goal of crafting wines that authentically display their Napa Valley terroir with elegance and finesse. It is an honor and a great responsibility to be the torch bearer – sharing his wisdom with the next generation of Robert Mondavi winemakers so that his legacy endures well into the future.”
For additional information or to visit Robert Mondavi Winery go to: www.robertmondaviwinery.com. #robertmondavi50
