Robert Mondavi Dead

California winemaker Robert Mondavi died on May 16, 2008 at his home in Yountville, California.

He established the Mondavi Winery in 1966, a business that would become the driving force behind the Napa Valley wine industry.

Mondavi was 94 years old at the time of his death.

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 18, 1913
2. Birthplace: Virginia, Minnesota
3. 1937 graduate of Stanford University
4. Member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity
5. Family feud led to the Robert Mondavi Winery, established in 1966
6. Credited with establishing the Napa Valley wine industry
7. Decanter Magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1989
8. Inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2000
9. Inducted into the Vintner's Hall of Fame in 2007

Background

Born into an immigrant family from Italy, his family were in the fruit harvest and packing trade.

He went into business with his father and brother, purchasing the Charles Krug Winery in Napa Valley, California. The winery was originally established in 1861.

After a feud with his brother, Mondavi started his own winery in 1966. Challenging the conventional California wine making wisdom of the day, he began to produce wines to compete with European brands.

Categories