Robert Mondavi Winery
“When you order a Robert Mondavi wine at the restaurant we know we control quality wines and tradition. “
The famous winery of Napa Valley was created in 1966 by one of the largest and most influential American vintners, Robert Mondavi.
Robert Gerald Mondavi was born in 1913 in Minnesota to Italian parents (Cesare and Rosa Mondavi). His father was a miner and mother operated a foster home. In 1919 Cesar Mondavi traveled for the first time to California to buy grapes for the Italian community of his state. Attracted by what he found on the west coast and seeing the potential of this state he moved his family to California and specifically to Lodi. “At that time it was the prohibition in the United States. His father understood that he would make more money by buying and selling grapes to the Italians of the East Coast so they could make their own wines. “(Genevieve Janssens, winemaker)
In 1936 Robert Mondavi graduated from Stanford University and went to work in St Helena for Sunnyhill Winery. He fell in love with the Napa Valley and its fabulous lands. He convinced his father to acquire one of the oldest wineries in the valley, Charles Krug Winery. This purchase marked the beginning of a great love story between Robert Mondavi and the world of wine.
In 1966 Robert Mondavi founded Robert Mondavi Winery. For the construction of the main building he told the architect Cliff May with to make a nominal design; a building that would render homage to the first-pioneer winemakers in California, Catholic missionaries. Six years later, in 1972 Robert Mondavi launched his first wine export program. In 1979 Robert Mondavi began his collaboration with Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
R. Mondavi was a lover of the vine and wine but also and above all an epicurean. Passionate about food and cooking he repeatedly invited many famous French Cuisine chefs and also Italian, American … In 1989 he created a center dedicated to cooking and wine in Costa Mesa (California). In 1999 Robert Mondavi and his wife Margrit decided to financially assist the COPIA (Center for Wine, Food and the Arts) in Napa.
Great lovers of art they were repeatedly artists patrons. Even today some of the works acquired and certain family works are visible to the winery. The latter has a large and unique collection
One of the famous wines of the vintage R. Mondavi is “Fumée Blanc”. Where does the name come from ?
“To create this wine R. Mondavi was inspired by both styles of wine: Pouilly Fume and the Bordeaux whites Graves. ‘Fumée’ (smoke) is a tribute to the first and ‘Blanc’ (white) to Bordeaux-Graves almost all of which are made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc and a small percentage of Semillon and completely fermented in barrels. “(Genevieve Janssens)
Focus on Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery
“I was born in Morocco from a French family who made wine for 130 years in Algeria. My father always told me since I was little that making wine is a philosophy of life. You do not become rich but you will always be happy.
I studied oenologyin Bordeaux with Jean et Pascal Ribereau Gayon and Emile Peynaud the fathers of the modern Enology Science. At that time when we were young graduates we came to California to visit. I came here as a tourist. I did a guided of the property and the end of the tour I was so in love the way he talked about wine, his philosophy, the way of life and producing in harmony with nature that I asked for a meeting the winemaker of the time, Zelma Long. We talked for over an hour and by the end of her talk i was seduced. To Mt. Mondavi wine was to take the grapes from the vine and bring them to the cellar so that it ends up on a beautiful table, with wonderful food and an atmosphere of sharing, family-friendliness. In the beginning I told Zelma that if she had a job I was available. Two months after she remembered me and offered me to come to work at Robert Mondavi.
I worked here for two years (1978 and 1979), I got married and I raised my two children. In 1988 I sent a letter to Tim Mondavi telling him that if he wished I would come back. Tim hired me at Opus One as a director of production. Opus One was a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. In 1998 I came here as ‘Director of Winemaking’at Robert Mondavi Winery. My last vintage made at Opus One was the 1997 and the first of the Mondavi 1998. Despite all these years I am still very passionate about what I do. Now my role here is to prepare/teach the younger generation to pass on the torch. I have to teach them everything I learned from Mr. R. Mondavi to be certain that his philosophy style of the wines are transmitted. I love sharing between generations. I want to see their success, It also be my pleasure to see them succeed. It’s a bit my way of thanking Robert Mondavi for having at one time opened the door to a young stranger (ie: me). ”
What is the signature of Robert Mondavi in the wine ?
“In 1966 when Robert Mondavi opened his cellar he went with two children in France to find inspiration. He went to the best restaurants, the best properties and it clicked. He said he had to make wines that may be associated with great chefs, wine as an accompaniment to a meal.
He was one of the pioneers of bottling wine from a single grape variety, not a blend. Since 1966 we follow the same methods. We absolutely wishe to preserve its signature taste. The key word to us is original. “This concept encompasses methods of production originating Mr. Robert Mondavi but also the original taste of wine (terroir). To Kalon vineyard was his vision for his Cabernet Sauvignons. To Kalon is the first growth of Napa Valley.
It can not be picked too late to retain acidity and finesse. Our white wines come from direct pressing without maceration. is fermented in barrels and recently also it is 20% in stainless steel tanks in order to better preserve the fruit.
Our wines must involve finesse, elegant and terroir (original flavor). We also work a lot on tannins. They must combine finesse and power.
Today it produces about 300,000 cases per year, including 15/20% premium wines. Our wines are certified Sustainable Agriculture. ”
If you had to describe in a few words what wine means to you, what would you say?
” Many things ! I would say that this wine is: sensual pleasure, philosophy and to feel like sharing a bottle with friends or family. ”
Do you have any particular plans for the property?
“Yes, I wish for it to resume production of botrytised Sauvignon Blanc. They also replanted a lot in recent years, almost 50% of the vineyard. We planted new great terroirs since Constellation bought the winery. Now we must be patient and learn to work these new lands. ”
Do you have an anecdote of the property or of Mr. Mondavi?
“Robert Mondavi always said to everyone: it is very simple ! In theory it was very simple but in reality it was quite different. He kept saying that he wanted these Cabernet Sauvignons have the smoothness of the skin of the baby’s buttocks and the power of Pavaroti. We could summarize it by “softness, gentleness and delicacy with power” (tenderness, softness and smoothness).
On the property you can admire numerous works of art, the most famous is the great statue of St. Francis from Beniamino Bufano. It is here you can find the largest collection of this artist. “Mr. Mondavi and his family were great art lovers.”
Thanks to Genevieve Janssens for her warm welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Robert Mondavi Winery
Oakville, CA 94562
+1 707-226-1395