Vintner Robert Mondavi dies

[Auggie]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

05-16) Robert Mondavi, the charismatic Napa Valley vintner whose work helped establish California wines as among the world's best, died this morning. He was 94.

A Mondavi family spokesman was unable to confirm the news or provide details, but a St. Helena funeral home said arrangements were pending.

A popular and tireless figure in the wine world, Mr. Mondavi was relentless in his drive to make wines that could compete with the finest in the world. His winery, established in 1966, became an iconic presence along Napa Valley's Highway 29 and a symbol not only of California's emergence as a wine powerhouse but of the lifestyle that Mondavi embodied - one that placed wine in context with good food and a culture of hospitality.

Although the Mondavi family sold its winery to Constellation Brands in 2004, Mr. Mondavi remained tied to his namesake property, making public appearances at Napa Valley events as recently last last year.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/16/BASJ10NSUN.DTL&tsp=1

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I met him once during my workings with the winery.

Love him or hate him, he helped put Napa Valley on the map and set the standard of quality in American wines.

I'll raise the first glass of wine in his honor.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Thank you, Robert Mondavi

For so many memorable times.

[Mrs. Overall]

2. This is sad news. I grew up in Napa Valley and went to high school with several of his

grandchildren in the late 70's.

I wonder if they still have the concert series on the Mondavi grounds? It made for a great summer evening.

[Auggie]

4. Yep -- they still have the concert series.

[NV Whino]

13. They still have the series, but

have cut down on the number of concerts.


This is the Mondavi crypt.

[Auggie]

15. I lost a lot of interest in the winery when the family was forced out

by the Board of Directors and subsequently bought by wine conglomerate Constellation.

The new owners say they're all for upholding the tradition, blah, blah, blah, but I can't help feel there's a real loss in entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, R&D and, well, FUN! It's all about increasing distribution and making money for an enigmatic company with a zillion brands.

I won't go to the concert series anymore.

[ToughLuck]

3. my glass is raised to you good sir.

[nradisic]

5. Peace...

I've been in the wine business for almost 20 years and have met Robert Mondavi several times. He was always willing to talk to anyone about wine and was always a true gentleman. In addition to that he has been almost singlehandedly responsible for putting the best of California wines forward and showing the world how California can and does make some of the best wines in the world.

God's Speed...I bet the Cab tastes even better up there....

Cheers,

Rad Grapes

[bluestateguy]

6. Who?

When I was a kid people always used to die that I had never heard of. Once in awhile that still happens.

[TomInTib]

7. The 25th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival is tomorrow.

http://tiburonwinefestival.homestead.com/

We will raise a few hundred glasses for Mr Mondavi.

He was in our Gallery within the last few months (I believe it was that recently - time kinda stands still around here).

[havocmom]

8. Raise one for me, Tom.

Will have wine and cheese for supper this evening. A favorite repast at our home.

[TomInTib]

12. It's a deal.

Our little town's Wine Festival kicks butt.

Over 60 NorCal wineries and 20 restaurants participate. Tickets ($55) are on eBay and CraigsList for as much as $250.

I can barely wait. I'll let you know how it went, if I can still operate this machine afterward.

Enjoy your evening, ma'am,
Tom

[havocmom]

16. Some year, in the not too distant future,

we will be there for the celebration!

[alstephenson]

17. Have fun!!! I love wine festivals.

And I love Tiburon, too. You're a lucky fellow!

[TomInTib]

19. I tell myself, every day....

to never take this place for granted.

Sometimes I can barely believe that I am fortunate to be here.

We also have a very cool Art Festival (which I started).

http://picasaweb.google.com/robertjamesusa/TiburonArtFestival02

I am the guy in the straw fedora/gray beard (this was before I lost the Crazy Woman and 30 extra pounds).

Tom

[alstephenson]

21. Looks like a great art show! Congratulations!

[davidinalameda]

25. is that the art festival that has the chalk art contest?

one of my ex's always wanted to compete but never did

[EFerrari]

32. Wow. That looks like a great event, Tom. n/t

[cyclezealot]

9. Sorry about his passing

Not so sure, I'd rate his wines as some of the best in the world. OK, I guess. Some controversy about Mondavi presented in the Film, " The World of Wine. " Made in Italy. Mondavi had a plan to produce a "One world wine." He bought out vineyards all throughout Europe in an attempt to undercut independent makers of wine. Tell me it ain't so.

[BuddhaGirl]

23. Actually, his reserve Cabs are usually rated very highly

hubby and I collect wine...a couple of years ago we had a '94 reserve Cab that was too die for.

RIP Mr. Mondavi

[cyclezealot]

24. RIP II. Mondavi.

I don't know the man that well. We are wine lovers too. Not dissing Mr. Mondavi. Just because somwone dies, does not mean they lived a Angelic life. We can respect them w/o thinking them perfect. / The film, " The World of Wine," is important for wine enthusists who don't want a 'one world wine.' As is attributed to him. Correctly or not. / Cab reserves are important. But, should our everyday wines be standarized to one model is something I find offensive. / Most of us don't drink reserves every night of the week.

[BuddhaGirl]

30. who's saying he lived an angelic life?

I don't think he was perfect, but he certainly accomplished a lot in the wine world. I am not familiar with "the World of Wine" - is it available online?

I am looking forward to the release of "Bottle Shock" - a movie starring Alan Rickman about the story of the 1976 wine tasting, otherwise known as "The Judgement of Paris" - where California wines beat out the French ones in blind taste testing.

[cyclezealot]

34. If we were not wine lovers we'd care less.

Mondovino is about the wine you drink

With wine now so entrenched as a lifestyle drink, it was only a matter of time before it appeared in popular culture, and two films might be the start of a trend.

First there was Sideways, a fairly light-hearted romp that had something to do with Pinot Noir. Whatever its strengths as a movie, it’s credited with raising consciousness of, and demand for, that too-neglected grape variety that often hides under the name “Burgundy.”

Now there’s Mondovino (loosely translated as “world of wine”), which opens in Ottawa this weekend. It’s a totally different movie, a documentary made up of interviews with winemakers, winery owners and other wine professionals, and footage of dogs. (Or should that be “paw-age” of dogs? More about the dogs later

A movie of interviews might sound boring, but it’s not, because Mondovino explores big issues facing wine producers and consumers. The most important are the effects of globalization and the concentration of ownership on the wine we drink. Mondovino implicitly pits small producers in parts of France, Italy, Brazil and Argentina against the big producers such as Mondavi (based in California), and Boisset (Burgundy).

A core focus is the attempt, a few years ago, by Mondavi to establish a vineyard a few kilometres from Mas de Daumas Gassac, the most prestigious winery in Languedoc in southern France. Aimé Guibert, the winery’s owner, vigorously opposed Mondavi, and I recall all the “Non à Mondavi” signs when I was last there. In the end, local people elected a Communist mayor who had campaigned against the Californian intruder, and Mondavi gave up and went to Italy.

http://www.worldsofwine.com/articles/000110.html

[BuddhaGirl]

35. thanks

I will check this out...upon reading about the movie, it seems a very unbalanced treatment of Robert Mondavi...though the impact of globalization info is probably pretty good.

[cyclezealot]

37. Besides the arguments about globialization

and its impact upon wine making; the movie also fits the billing as a wine travelogue. On the surface it seemed well researched. But, then we are strong critics of globialization.

[NV Whino]

38. The movie isn't primarily about Mondavi

It is a wonderful movie full of truths and many laughs. Well worth watching.

[Auggie]

10. He donated millions to charity and educational endeavors

And it wasn't just all about money either. He made many personal appearences that he didn't have to.

Meant to add that earlier.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Well aged!

[wryter2000]

14. This is a loss

He had a long and productive life. Thanks for all the great wine!

BTW, the story of the Paris tasting in 1976 that put California on the map is hysterical.

[alstephenson]

18. R.I.P., Mr. Mondavi.

You did good for California's wine country.

[Olney Blue]

20. I always stopped at the Mondavi winery when I toured Napa...

many happy memories.


RIP, Mr. Mondavi.

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. The King of California...I hear trhey're mourning deeply in West Virginia

:evilgrin:

[ronnie624]

26. Bummer.

His vintage Moscatos are the nectar of the gods.

[Auggie]

27. They're delicious -- no argument here.

[BuddhaGirl]

29. I agree!

:thumbsup: :9

[madame defarge]

28. My mom was friends with Margrit Biever Mondavi...

...before she was Mrs. Mondavi. They belonged to the same International Club in Cincinnati. In fact, we even had one of her paintings. I don't know what happened to it, but I sure wish we still had it.

I'm not bragging, just remembering...

[EFerrari]

31. I went to a smoking cessation thingy with one of the top PR people

in the early 90s or so. Or maybe she was the event co-ordinator. She was French and a delight even when going off of cancer sticks and she had great stories to tell while we worked out in the gym. She reflected well on Mondavi and the whole crew. My condolences to the family.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[goforit]

36. Wow I just bought a bottle this morning. Well, I will drink it in honor of him.

[Jack Rabbit]

39. RIP

The cuisine in Heaven just got more elegant.


Bousaada

[Lost4words]

40. RIP Mr. Mondavi, If you could have gotten those lousy preservatives out!

Once you have enjoyed wine without the preservatives you can never go back!

8643

[ronnykmarshall]

41. I love Napa Valley wines.

RIP Robert!

Cheers!