California Wine Pioneer Robert Mondavi Dies at 94

by Jarrett Martineau | May 16, 2008 at 08:06 pm | 895 views | 18 comments
Cool, quiet aging room at Robert Mondavi winery
by Zetadog
Inside a big oak cask
by Zetadog
  • Above oak casks
  • Top of oak cask
  • Robert Mondavi Reserve
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Acclaimed wine pioneer Robert Mondavi has died at the age of 94.

Robert Mondavi, a legendary Napa Valley vintner who helped bring California wine worldwide acclaim, died Friday at his northern California home in Yountville at the age of 94.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called him "a true California legend."

The son of Italian immigrants, Mondavi founded a winery bearing his name in Napa Valley in 1966 and went on to become one of the most prominent figures of the US wine industry, making famed Cabernets and Chardonnays.

The industry publication Wine Spectator called him "a visionary winemaker and brilliant marketer" who became "one of the most influential and admired winemakers in California history."

"It is hard to imagine anyone having more of a lasting impact on California's 20 billion-dollar-a-year wine industry than Robert Mondavi," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

Source: news.yahoo.com


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Add a comment Comments (18)

amyjudd
  • super editor
amyjudd

at 07:02 on May 17th, 2008

good stuff:

Jarrett Martineau, how sad. I really like his wine.

Carlos Domingues
Carlos Domingues

at 10:58 on May 17th, 2008

I visited Robert Mondavi Winery in April, 2008. And I learned an important thing: it is never late to begin a great project when it is done with passion. He was 52 years old when created his winery.

Carlos Domingues has contributed a photo to this story.

Duncan_Ramsay
Duncan_Ramsay

at 14:22 on May 17th, 2008

A beautiful winery, sad to hear about Mr. Mondavi's passing.

Duncan_Ramsay has contributed a photo to this story.

soundman2006
soundman2006

at 19:38 on May 17th, 2008

Wine barrels at the Robert Mondavi winery, Napa Valley, California.

soundman2006 has contributed a photo to this story.

MrsChantlah
MrsChantlah

at 20:27 on May 17th, 2008

My husband and I and a couple of friends visited the Mondavi winery on vacation in September of 2007. It is a beautiful place. I'm so sad to hear of his passing.

MrsChantlah has contributed a photo to this story.

ppmartin
ppmartin

at 20:49 on May 17th, 2008

good stuff:

Thanks for highlighting this news, Jarrett.

Let's raise a toast in memory of Robert Mondavi by drinking a glass of his finest ;)

warpcat
warpcat

at 20:54 on May 17th, 2008

My wife and I have been to the Napa area many times. The day we took this drive was sort of 'spur of the moment'. We'd never been to Mondavi's winery before, and found this excellent outdoor sculpture exhibit while walking the grounds. Cheers to the man that made it all possible.

warpcat has contributed a photo to this story.

Weezul_GG
Weezul_GG

at 22:52 on May 17th, 2008

A beautiful winery with good quality wine!

Weezul_GG has contributed a photo to this story.

Lollygagging
Lollygagging

at 01:42 on May 18th, 2008

The Robert Mondavi Winery was really fantastic... we went at a time where the grapes were not on the vines, but it was fascinating to see the fields this way. It's truly stunning and I recommend everyone that visits Napa Valley to visit this beautiful winery...

Lollygagging has contributed a photo to this story.

jmartinovici
jmartinovici

at 03:54 on May 18th, 2008

Robert Mondavi's Moscat wines are delicious. There isn't a better dessert wine out there.

jmartinovici has contributed a photo to this story.

ashughes
ashughes

at 11:11 on May 18th, 2008

I visited the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa, California last summer.  It was a great experience.  Rest in peace Mr. Mondavi.  You have created a great legacy that everyone can enjoy.

ashughes has contributed a photo to this story.

rxmflickr
rxmflickr

at 20:35 on May 18th, 2008

Good Wines..Great Tour !

rxmflickr has contributed a photo to this story.

reptipunx
reptipunx

at 01:24 on May 19th, 2008

These barrels hold a Robert Mondavi Harvest of 2006. They are stained with the grape skins that are left over from the pressing.

reptipunx has contributed a photo to this story.

dodgerblue004@yahoo.com
dodgerblue004@yahoo.com

at 11:45 on May 19th, 2008

Such a beautiful place to visit. Whether you like wine or not.

dodgerblue004@yahoo.com has contributed a photo to this story.

Muninn
Muninn

at 22:19 on May 19th, 2008

The tour guide provided great information and insight into the Mondavi winery - this tour is highly recommended.

Muninn has contributed a photo to this story.

Enchanted Piano
Enchanted Piano

at 18:26 on May 21st, 2008

I have gone to the Robert Mondavi Winery once before about 10 years ago and a second time just this past summer. It's always an experience. I love the coastal cabs and chards. I was saddened to hear when Mondavi passed. I hope they make a special resrve in his honor this year. I would by one.

Enchanted Piano has contributed a photo to this story.

walterdj
walterdj

at 08:06 on May 22nd, 2008

An Opus One. This superb wine was created due to the cooperation between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

walterdj has contributed a photo to this story.

joejenkuiper
joejenkuiper

at 21:20 on May 23rd, 2008

joejenkuiper has contributed a photo to this story.

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May 16, 2008 at 08:06 pm by Jarrett Martineau, 895 views, 18 comments

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First Flagged at 7:02 AM, May 17, 2008 by amyjudd
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