nogohawk Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Robert Mondavi Dies at Age of 94 Visionary vintner helped usher in a new era for California wine James Laube Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 Robert Mondavi, a visionary winemaker and brilliant marketer who helped lead California wine into international prominence, died at 9 a.m. today at home in Yountville, Calif. He was 94. Outspoken, energetic and charismatic, Mondavi was one of the most influential and admired winemakers in California history. He was the driving force behind his namesake winery in Napa Valley, which he established in 1966 and which for years was the most famous winery in California, until it was sold in 2004. "Robert Mondavi left an indelible legacy on the California wine industry," said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator. "He touted California wines as world class--as good as the best of Europe--and tirelessly traveled the world spreading that message, making believers out of millions of wine lovers." In a career that spanned eight decades, Mondavi often led by example, setting lofty goals for his winery and inspiring California winemakers to make wines that would compete with the best in the world. His name, influence and passion for wine and life spread well beyond Napa and California. Winemakers around the world credited Mondavi with encouraging them to set higher standards and make better wines. Wine Spectator full article A true pioneer for the wine industry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Robert Mondavi Dies at Age of 94Visionary vintner helped usher in a new era for California wine James Laube Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 Robert Mondavi, a visionary winemaker and brilliant marketer who helped lead California wine into international prominence, died at 9 a.m. today at home in Yountville, Calif. He was 94. Outspoken, energetic and charismatic, Mondavi was one of the most influential and admired winemakers in California history. He was the driving force behind his namesake winery in Napa Valley, which he established in 1966 and which for years was the most famous winery in California, until it was sold in 2004. "Robert Mondavi left an indelible legacy on the California wine industry," said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator. "He touted California wines as world class--as good as the best of Europe--and tirelessly traveled the world spreading that message, making believers out of millions of wine lovers." In a career that spanned eight decades, Mondavi often led by example, setting lofty goals for his winery and inspiring California winemakers to make wines that would compete with the best in the world. His name, influence and passion for wine and life spread well beyond Napa and California. Winemakers around the world credited Mondavi with encouraging them to set higher standards and make better wines. Wine Spectator full article A true pioneer for the wine industry Definitely a pioneer. If you haven't read House of Mondavi: Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty, I highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Considering how many in the industry made a fortune doing something else and just bought a winery because they thought it'd be fun, I always respected him as one of the guys who actually made his fortune making wine. That things got a bit out of control in the later years is completely understandable. Banks and investors start getting involved and all hell breaks loose. It starts to become all about growth and that's just something that certain industries lend themselves better to than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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