Legend is a term that is tossed around freely today, but applied to 
the life of Robert Mondavi, the honorific has special meaning to the worldwide wine community. So it is with sadness that we mourn the passing of Mr. Mondavi on May 16, 2008 at his home in the Napa Valley. He was 94.
Robert Mondavi was one of the key founders of the modern U.S. fine wine industry, an ambassador for California wine and an indefatigable cheerleader for the pleasures of all wine and its continuing contribution to society. Regardless of one’s association with wine, Robert Mondavi’s presence was always 
felt. Although he knew my name, Mr. Mondavi always referred to me as ‘Young Man,’ a title I enjoyed because–while I was his junior,–our ages were not that far apart. His youthful curiosity, even in his later years, set him apart from his contemporaries. Some years ago, at a wine symposium on Maui, I was conducting a seminar in Italian wine. As the session got underway, I looked up from my notes and saw Mr. Mondavi in the front row attentively listening and asking questions throughout the seminar.
Throughout much of his life, Robert Mondavi was the unofficial spokesman for California wine throughout the world. In my travels I had met Mr. Mondavi in Italy, Australia and Argentina, among other places, researching, talking and promoting the gospel of wine. He was tireless in his mission, like the time he was attending a wine event in Torgiano, Italy, registering one day, heading back to California the next day on winery business, but returning in time to give his address at the function.
Born in Minnesota and raised in Lodi, California, Robert Mondavi started his wine career at the old Sunny St. Helena Winery. In 
1943, the Mondavi family purchased the Charles Krug estate in St. Helena and by 1965, following a family dispute, Mr. Mondavi left the family business and built his own winery in Oakville. The Mondavi legend soon expanded, including additional holdings and wineries in the Napa Valley, Lodi and Southern California, as well as partnerships with Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux, Tuscany’s Frescoboldi family and the Chadwick family of Viña Errazuriz in Chile.
In addition to wife, Margrit Biever Mondavi, Robert Mondavi leaves three children, nine grandchildren and his brother, Peter. Private services will be held and remembrance books will be available at the winery’s Oakville visitor center and the visitor center at the Woodbridge winery in Lodi, for anyone wishing to share a message or condolence.
6