Robert Mondavi Tribute Show

Robert Mondavi Tribute Show – Episode #472

May 27, 2008

Robert Mondavi was a pioneer in the wine industry and most likely is the most important person in the history of the US Wine industry. I was away when he passed so I am using this 1st show back to pay tribute!

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Comments on this episode(170) Leave a comment ›

“Great tribute to such a great person.

Robert Mondavi will always be…” by Thomas Moore
“Good wine is as sweet as love….” by Black Canyon Coffee Estate
View all 170 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet SauvignonNapa Cabernet

170 Responses

May 27, 2008

Withnail
Good idea!
May 27, 2008

Kristen
Glad you’re doing this. Although I side more with the French, Mondavi was a pioneer in pushing the quality of American wines.
May 27, 2008

CBG
nice tribute…I’ll take 94 as long as my kids are there to see me go.
May 27, 2008

fondue-stl
We all have Robert Mondavi to thank for his pioneering advances into the wine world.

Dave
May 27, 2008

Shervin M
Robert Mond… who?

ITS GARY VAYNERCHUK BABY!
May 27, 2008

glenn levine
awesome idea for a show GV. golf clap ensues. top 10 bitches.
May 27, 2008

Hammer
Dear Gary,

I really like the sensitive and sincere way you paid your tribute to Robert Mondavi and scored his wine. He certainly put California on the wine world map.

Keep up the fantastic work Gary!

-Hammer
May 27, 2008

David Dadekian
Excellent tribute, Gary. Thank you.
May 27, 2008

brooklyni
RIP Mr. Mondavi
May 27, 2008

Anna
Well done!
May 27, 2008

Scott EJ
Very nice, G.

I was lucky enough to have some Opus One this past Memorial Weekend. Good stuff.
May 27, 2008

RichG
Giddy up Gary!!! Mr. Mondavi will be fondly remembered.
May 27, 2008

chippewamike
Nice job Gary. A very thoughtful and class act on your part.

RIP Mr. Mondavi. . .
May 27, 2008

JeffC
Nice tribute to Mr Mondavi. Thanks Gary.
May 27, 2008

elron
Very nice Gary!
RM you were the man!
May 27, 2008

cs
Nice tribute Gary. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you on the book tour next month in Rockville, Md.
May 27, 2008

Susan
Gary-A class act again! A super tribute to Robert Mondavi. Thanks!!!
May 27, 2008

Matti
Nice one Gary.
May 27, 2008

BargePlus
A liitle Robert Mondavi story:

In the mid 1990’s I had the privilege of participating in the start-up of E&J Gallo’s wholly-owned distributorship in Japan. As part of that process, our sales team called on a very high-end restaurant in Tokyo (Spago’s?) to sell them on the idea of offering Gallo’s newly introduced Sonoma varietals. As the sales team wrapped-up a very promising presentation, they ran into Robert Mondavi himself, arriving at the same restaurant for their presentation. Guess who was the first American wine offered by this restaurant? Although eventually successful, we just couldn’t compete with the personal appearance of Napa’s/California’s/America’s Ambassador of Wine.
May 27, 2008

MrJCG1
Bravisimo Gary!!! RIP Mr Mondavi.
May 27, 2008

C-Fiddy
Welcome Back GV!
And a very fine tribute show to a great shaper of our world.
Peace!
May 27, 2008

Susan
Gary- WELCOME BACK!!!!
May 27, 2008

Sassodoro
Nicely done, Gary. Thanks.
May 27, 2008

Richard Bakker
Gary,
That was a great tribute to a legendary man.
May 27, 2008

Brian V
Nice tribute show, very heart felt.
May 27, 2008

Phil G
Thanks for doing this – nice job. Looking forward to that movie – btw…
May 27, 2008

Oklahoma Michael
Great show. I had the privilege to meet him once, and his kindness and charm were overwhelming. Perhaps the greatest American wine ambassador ever. He will be missed
May 27, 2008

Jazzy1
Very nice tribute. Its great to recognize the good people behind great wines.

You handled this with alot of class.
May 27, 2008

Rodrigo
The first Californian wine I’ve ever tried, and probably the first “serious wine” as well (I was still in college). Many thanks Mr. Mondavi.

Good tribute Gary.

Rodrigo
May 27, 2008

sobojosh
1992 Opus 1 made me the man I am today
May 27, 2008

KVolk
Thanks GV for sharing some of the high lights of Mondavi’s legacy in the wine world….
May 27, 2008

Bill N.
Gary; I must say, Mr. Robert Mondavi was a high class act, and I think you are as well. Thank you for your TV show and efforts.
May 27, 2008

NC Carl
Cheers to RM! Great Show
May 27, 2008

Neil
RIP: Wishing his family all the best and continued success in the wine biz. 94?, yeh, Mott sign me up too.
May 27, 2008

laurie in VT
Nice. Thanks, Gary.
May 27, 2008

ChezJim
Excellent tribute to Robert Mondavi! I believe it is time I open my Opus One and drink to this great man. He changed wine in America.
May 27, 2008

Derek F.
We will also remember Mr. Mondavi, he definitely changed the wine world.
May 27, 2008

Matlatzinca
A fine tribute.

I had the pleasure of tasting several Mondavi wines during an Alaskan Cruise event. Probably one of the first places I really started to appreciate subtle differences in similar wines.

I, too, will raise a glass and toast Mr. Mondavi. Salud!
May 27, 2008

GrapeStuff
RIP Robert Mondavi, the wine world will remember you fondly for a very, very long time to come.
May 27, 2008

Michael M.
Thanks Gary for taking time out to pay tribute to this great man.

THANKS! Gary

michael
May 27, 2008

cameron w
Very nice show, thank you.

Mondavi’s contribution to American wine is probably beyond measure.

For the record, I actually really enjoyed the 2005 Napa Cab. when I had it recently. I also spent a lovely day at the Mondavi winery with my wife and daughters quite recently.
May 27, 2008

purplejuicebruce
I raise a glass to Mr. Mondavi. Thank you sir.
May 27, 2008

Brian
very respectable show..way to toast a guy that meant so much to the wine world. Truth be told you didnt even need the wine, but that was a nice touch…As a newbie to the wine world, i got some catch up to play on the Mondavi legacy, but this was a great show and way to start your work now that you are back from vacation..Hope you enjoyed your break and that was a great way to come back with a well deserved tribute
May 27, 2008

sharon
Drat! We already drank our Opus One. Thanks for the tribute and welcome home.
May 27, 2008

Mark
Cheers.
May 27, 2008

TNM
Had the 04 Opus out of respect the day after his death. Wasn’t that impressed with that vintage the 03 was much better. Nice tribute
May 27, 2008

Dean D.
I figured I’d come back to this format, instead of just getting the podcast on my iPod, so I could make comments again. Great tribute show Gary. Tastefully and respectfully done.
May 27, 2008

Anna
To all:
After watching this great tribute, check out “Harvests of Joy” by Robert Mondavi (if you haven’t already done so). It is the Mondavi story – told by Mr. Mondavi himself. An excellent read.
May 27, 2008

ChrisH
Well done. I, too, will sign right now for 94! It is always wonderful to hear about someone like Mr. Mondavi who lived a full life full of positive contributions.
May 27, 2008

Robin C
Nice show. We’re still drinking our Mondavi 2000, 2001, 2002 cabernets and loving them.
May 27, 2008

Dave Grega
Cheers Robert! Thanks for all you gave to the wine world!
May 27, 2008

John Farrin
Have had the pleasure of meeting`both Robert and Peter Mondavi. Robert was a class act and Peter still is. I’m with you Gary, sign me up for some of those genes.
May 27, 2008

JonE
An impressario to say the least. Many of us in the biz should all thank Mr. Mondavi for our livelihood. Cheers to great vintner and pioneer. And thanks for all that you’ve done for our business.
May 27, 2008

gastrononymous
I will always remember the 2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve as one of the greatest wines I’ve ever tasted. You gave a nice tribute to a great man, GV. May he rest in peace.
May 27, 2008

Dominus
This is one of those times that I could almost cry. You have your priorities straight and know how to celebrate a wine pioneer’s life. I am humbled.

I raise my glass of Fume Blanc to Sir Robert.

Sante!
Dom
May 27, 2008

Joe
I had a milestone to celebrate Monday the 19th and I wanted to do it with an American wine. I had already chosen a 2004 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet when I heard about his passing. I enjoyed this excellent bottle with my family that night and then the next night went to my cellar and picked a bottle of 2005 Mondavi Napa Cabernet and shared it with my wine buddies. Very memorable moments shared with friends and family and Mr. Mondavi’s contribution. I read that the 2004 Reserve was the last vintage under Mondavi’s leadership. I scored the 2004 Reserve a solid 94 in honor of Robert Mondavi’s years dedicated to making American wines among the best in the world.
May 27, 2008

Kev and Ams
Nice show Gary.
May 27, 2008

Andy
Thank you Mr. Robert Mondavi for your hard work and dedication to the wine world…………. Cheers and Salut
May 27, 2008

Greg B
Great stuff. New watcher and very impressed with this tribute to a pioneer in the wine world that supports many of us.
May 27, 2008

Paul
Nice tribute, the sincerity is heartfelt. Great man and great wines, I might have to break out he ‘99 reserve cab. Enjoy.
May 27, 2008

MattyO
interestingly enough, Mondavi was the first wine that i became infatuated with. when i heard of his passing i was actually shocked, so big ups to the Mondavi family and all his friends out there in Napa Valley.

great show gary, mott…very fitting. hope you guys can change the wine world like mondavi.
May 27, 2008

amgryger
Nice tribute!
May 27, 2008

Len
Nicely done Gary.
May 27, 2008

Palmer
Nice episode. I always return to the Robert Mondavi Winery without fail on every trip to Napa. In addition to the consistent quality of the wines, they give without a doubt the most informational and interesting tours in the valley. Even from the afterlife, RM will continue to be a great ambassador of American wine.

Recently enjoyed the ‘98 reserve cab and have a bottle of the ‘01 reserve cab in the cellar that I’m anxious to pop!
May 27, 2008

Blake W
Great episode, we’ll miss you Mr. Mondavi
May 27, 2008

vinophilosopher
Nicely done GV. I will need to go pick up a nice bottle of Mondavi to pay tribute as well.

cheers!
May 27, 2008

Ozzy
Very classy way to send Robert off, Gary. I think it’s safe to say that he would have appreciated it…
May 27, 2008

Daniel O
Well done Gary!

Let’s all raise a glass to Mr. Robert Mondavi. May he rest in peace.
May 27, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

Glad to see you back in action GV.

Mr. Mondavi….you will be missed.

–RH
May 27, 2008

jason
way to start the week. i don’t know what to say, but it is quite fitting to have a little mondavi episode.
May 27, 2008

Sharon
I will be sure to pick up a bottle of Mondavi (maybe fume blanc) soon in remembrance of the great man!
May 27, 2008

Dan S.
Nice tribute to a great man!
May 27, 2008

Trish-da'-Dish
Gary, you’re the sweetest man alive, and the greatest! I’ve never had a “real” Mondavi, but now I hope to try one (if prices haven’t appreciated too badly on the pre-2004’s—now that R. Mondavi has passed on, some of these bottles that he was steward over may have become collector’s items, and therefore are $$$). Can anyone here recommend a particular vintage/varietal that’s available for under $40?

-Trish
May 27, 2008

Oakmon's BF
Very nice show Gary. I havenâ€™t read the other comments. Iâ€™m probably not saying anything new. I remember when California wines got no respect. I imagine his impact goes beyond California. He set the precedent that allowed the rest of the New World to dare to challenge too.
May 27, 2008

kaybee
We give our respect for the Mondavi legacy and for the impact he had in the wine world.
May 27, 2008

yowens
Cheers!
May 27, 2008

Wine Bloke
Robert Mondavi certainly had an influence world wide. While studying at Roseworthy Collegy of Winemaking in Australia, the Mondavi name popped up in our studies time after time. His legacy is helping educate winemakers and vignerons around the world. Well done Gary.
May 27, 2008

Arthur
Nicely done, Gary.

From Eric Asimov’s blog (http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/krug-on-mondavi):

â€œ…I believe we can say that, in only few years, we have been able to make great quality wines. [â€¦] But they still lack subtlety, and this will take generations to achieve.â€™â€™ Robert Mondavi in 1983.

There is nothing necessarily *wrong* with a $17 Cab just over 2.5 years out of the vineyard. After all, one of the things Mondavi strove for was making wine accessible to all socioeconomic strata.

But, my philosophical bend prevails and (although it may not resonate with most) I wonder out loud: Does subtlety in wine come about when the there is restraint on the part of the wine lover? More precisely, is the wine loverâ€™s restraint (and patience in letting a wine evolve and age) a prerequisite for a wine of subtlety?

Is subtlety a key ingredient in Napaâ€™s Brand Eqity?
May 27, 2008

Andy & Edie
Let’s all raise a glass to Robert Mondavi!
May 27, 2008

Jared Pondelik
Nice show Gary. It is really amazing what he did. I like that this was a no bull episode to really show the respect he deserves. Cheers!
May 27, 2008

Craig Rost
The first bottle of Mondavi Napa Cab was at Christmas with famoly. I instataniously became infatuated with the wine. It is the first label that I have started to collect. He will be missed greatly.

It is only fitting that Continuum hits the market this year.

Peace.
May 27, 2008

Nick Perusse
Cheers, Robert Mondavi! Great show, garyvee.
May 27, 2008

Kurt
A wonderfully touching tribute.
May 27, 2008

Adam J
Nice tribute, thanks Gary.
May 27, 2008

Social Project Brian
Testing. 2 of my posts today have failed to post to the comment board.
May 27, 2008

Marc
Very nice tribute GV..thanks!
May 27, 2008

xtrmtrk
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mondavi several times – once while eating lunch at his winery, another time while walking around the town of Napa and a third time randomly at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. Despite my gushing, wine-geeky, privacy intruding “hello and thank yous” he was always gracious and kind, a true gentleman. At the winery he even asked if he could hold my 8 month old niece and treated her just like you’d imagine the patriarch of a great Italian family would. He was a special person.
May 27, 2008

sam
Cheers to Mondavi!
Welcome back Gary!
Out of curiosity, what do you do with all the wine that is left over after the show?
May 27, 2008

Jaybird
Some people are lucky and find exactly what they were meant to do, he could have not done it any better.
Salute to RM
May 27, 2008

David M Roberts
A fitting tribute to Mondavi. Well done.
May 27, 2008

BobbyTiger
Nice tribute Gary………….tan and all.
May 27, 2008

Pastafari Pirate
Nice touch, Gare.
May 27, 2008

senator
Thanks Gary, great show.

The very first California winery I ever visted was Robert Mondavi’s back in 1985. I had only been into wine for a couple of years and it was for me at the time, like traveling to Mecca. My wife and I were successful in getting the tour guide to open a bottle of the ‘82 Private Reserve Cabernet. Good wine, and good memories. Here’s to you Robert! I don’t know that I’ve done much to change the wine world, but he certainly had a little part in changing my life.

- Jim Bucholz
May 27, 2008

pete c
Cheers, Mr. Mondavi, to a life well lived.
May 27, 2008

Donna Marie
Nice show, Gary. Robert Mondavi–a trailblazer in the wine industry. Thanks for showing your respectful way on today’s show. Glad your back and had a great vacation.
May 27, 2008

joegz
Saluto Roberto! Grazie!
May 27, 2008

Lenny
Thanks for saying what I’m sure many of us feel, Robert was an icon.
May 27, 2008

glenn
any way to embed today’s show on myspace or the like? such a sweet tribute.
May 27, 2008

J Crazy
CHEERS!!

The Wine World and Mondavi: BFFand beyond
May 27, 2008

Ryan W
It must be a wonderful feeling to live a long and fruitful life. I only hope that mine is as rich.

Regards,

Ryan
May 27, 2008

YoungDave
Great tribute, and welcome back. Looking forward to some new eps. this week!
May 27, 2008

Amanda
Many thanks to Gary V for doing a tribute show, and thanks to Robert Mondavi for his generous contributions to my school, UC Davis! You have done great things for the industry, and aspiring winemakers.
May 27, 2008

jim
Great tribute. I drink mondovi wine all the time. I like the california cab sauv. Great everyday drinking and doesn’t bust the bank. I also have enjoyed his Napa Valley cabs. He will be missed.
May 27, 2008

caleb
nice trib GV, No Doubt about this mans legacy!
May 27, 2008

Aaron S.
Yaaaaaay! You’re back! Glad to hear you had a good time.

Great show — I completely agree with you. If I would be so lucky to live to 94 years old and have as much as a small fraction of an impact on any world, let alone the wine world, as did Robert Mondavi, I would consider myself to have had an extremely awesome life! Yet, still, I am sad he’s gone.

SF TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (grrr I won’t be there…. Sacramento!)
May 27, 2008

Mario Salas
God bless you Bob…thanks for all that you did to put California on the wine map. If it wasn’t for you and your vision, many of us here in the Golden State and every wine producing state would not be in the industry.
May 27, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
Glad you are back! Thanks for taping some shows for us to watch while you were gone! Where would Cali wines be if it were not for Robert Mondavi?!
May 27, 2008

Fred
What can I say. 7 years ago, I entered this wine world for the first time after my encounter with my first Robert Mondavi wine. And now, he is gone. I feel sad. I have reserved a 2003 Mondavi Cab in my cellar, and I have been planning to enjoy it someday to recall the memory of my first step in this wine world with the help and lead by Mr. Robert Mondavi. I think, it is time. Not the best time, but the…

Gary, Thank you for the show and letting me know the bad news. I am busy with an exhibition in Nation Art Museum of China. All the best, to you and all the people I admire.
May 27, 2008

Roberto
Classy Gary, very classy. great subdued show, as it should be.
That movie sounds like a must see!!
May 28, 2008

Paul LaGrange
Great tribute – very classy. Well done.
May 28, 2008

Mason
It was a dream come true for me to visit Napa Valley last year with my wife, and we chose to visit the Robert Mondavi Winery. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. We had a wonderful tour, learned a great deal about Mr. Mondavi, and tasted some great wines. One of those wines was a 1998 Cab Sauv Reserve, and it was spectacular. Thanks for the tribute, Gary. His wines are great, but his impact on the wine world was and still is legendary.
May 28, 2008

Bundydb
Great one GV! Very classy and a great tribute.
May 28, 2008

GR8wine
GV,
Thanks for the tribute. My sentiments exactly.
Here’s to Robert Mondavi! A true icon of the Global wine industry.
May 28, 2008

Withnail
Nice ep. I met him once, shook his hand and talked for a minute. GOOD guy!
May 28, 2008

rimarfish
Thanks Robert!
May 28, 2008

Oregon Jim
Great Legend of the Wine World. His stature will do nothing but grow as the world grows to love the product he elevated to new heights. Godspeed RM. Blessings to his family and friends who are grieving.
May 28, 2008

john
Gary you nailed it ! So glad that you paid your respects and shared them with all of us following your passion for wine. I wish you a awesome trip to the west coast and I will be promoting all your efforts. Have a great time in S.F. Enjoy the vibe of the city we love !!!!
May 28, 2008

leif erik sundstrom
crazy irony is that the night before Mr. Mondavi passed i had a walla walla vs. napa cabernet blind tasting with some friends. no one discussed what they were bringing, half were assigned napa and half walla walla. when unveiled all but one of the napas were the bottle you tasted for todays tribute show. never seen such a thing at one of these tastings before, and the people who attended aren’t the type to usually reach for this wine. the following morning, first piece of news i read was that he had passed. i was at that moment convinced of the power of his presence…in ways much beyond ‘building a brand’ or anything so obvious as that.
May 28, 2008

DaddyDear » Blog Archive » A Tribute to Robert Mondavi
[...] across this “wine library tv” in iTunes. There’s this episode on Robert Mondavi that caught my [...]
May 28, 2008

M K CT
Robert Mondavi made wine.
I didn’t know him but I’ve visited all the wineries on the Connecticut wine trail and did meet most of the wine makers here. They were all unique individuals. Each one of a kind.
Looking foreword to new film BOTTLESHOCK.
SIDEWAYS was an oldy but goody and can be seen free with short commercial at the beginning at hulu dot com
May 28, 2008

Pete G
Couldn’t agree w/ u more. RM was a legend in the field. Ever try the Continuum – the winery RM and son started after they sold Mondavi?
May 28, 2008

Wednesday
Well said.
May 28, 2008

Grape + Bean Guy
RM Pinot Noir was the first red wine I bought with any regularity and was the begining of my appreciation for red wines. Bon Voyage RM.
May 28, 2008

akellner
Mondavi was a pioneer indeed. I am a big fan of his 2001 reserve cab. I believe — correct me if I am wrong — that his family was in turmoil over the years, which is a shame if true, however, I hope that he was able to make peace in his later years.
May 28, 2008

Kristen
Nice tribute show GV. I’m sure the Mondavis appreciate it.
May 28, 2008

Glen... winecrazy.com
Very nice Gary……..!!!!

One day you’ll be thought of as a legend and icon I’m sure just like Robert Mondovi you’ll make an impact in millions of peoples lives.

You have in mine.

You’re a good man Charlie Brown!!!!!!

Keep up the good work my man.

Love & Respect,

Glen
May 28, 2008

Dave
Gary – Great Tribute to a modern legend. Tastefully done.

Thank you, Mr. Mondavi.
May 28, 2008

TLV
Beautiful job, Gary. My Dad and I had a 97 Mondavi Napa ResCab in his honor, the day after he passed. A great man, indeed.
May 28, 2008

stephen
A wine icon that will live forever. An inspiration to show us what can be done with the right attitude and determination.
A really good tribute to a great man
Thank You
May 28, 2008

LuvsChandon
Thanks for the touching tribute to a leading pioneer in the wine world.
May 28, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Thanks for the tribute GV. The world is a bit poorer without Robert Mondavi in it even if he was 94. Constellation hasn’t done wonders for any brand they have taken over.
May 28, 2008

Nelson Lemmond
I always judged people by how they judged Robert Mondavi. I have heard so many wonderful stories of how Robert helped people on so many different levels. The personel experience I had both with him and his sons couldn not have been better.

Yours was a great tribute.

Thanks,

Nelson
May 28, 2008

Luis Felipe
Very touching show, Gary. I am sure the Mondavi family appreciates what you have given to them and the wine world just as much as you do for Robert.
May 28, 2008

Scott Berns
I’ve only been checking out your gig for the last 2 months or so but this is the best show I’ve seen you do yet.

Good on ya’

SB

P.S. Did you snorkel or dive the T & C?
May 28, 2008

Alex
Great show !!! I been to Napa and visit the vineyard great place… We just had a wine tasting 2001 Opus One and 2001 Robert Mondavi CabSauv Reserve and surprising we liked the RM better…Cheers!
May 28, 2008

Paul C
Cmon Gary, Mondavi produced awful commercial wines. Terroir meant nothing.
Although, I suppose you have to wean people off coca cola somehow.

Paul C.
May 28, 2008

Ben
I watched the show yesterday and then today went to Cheesecake Factory and they had the Mondavi Cab on their wine list, so I had to try it. I’ve had very few Cabs, but this was my favorite one yet. I appreciate the history you gave about Mondavi, I love knowing the stories behind things.
May 28, 2008

Capt M
Nice tan, dude! But very nice tribute to this giant man. My tribute, respect, admiration and gratitude to Mr. Mondavi. Peace to his soul.
May 28, 2008

Ben F
You are a Class act my friend!!
May 28, 2008

pawncop
A very nice tribute to a pioneer. I had the same 2005 Robert Mondavi Cab and hosted my tribute to him as well. One can only hope to be remembered as well as all have done for this good man.
May 28, 2008

Winelynn
GV,
That was a touching tribute to Robert Mondavi. Thanks for sharing with us.
May 28, 2008

Rolf Lydecker
Nice of you to do a tribute show to him. Few names have the power of his in Cali wine.
May 28, 2008

dAve
Robert Mondavi – yes, his name is amazing brand in US wine industry.
May 28, 2008

dAve
another post, system froze. I love RM’s Cab – private selection. What a great inexpensive wine!!
May 28, 2008

LIttle Jonny H
Beautiful… Gary, you brought me to tears with your solace for a man who pioneered the wine industry in the U.S. I’m shocked at how much I enjoyed this episode, and I’m sure the Mondavi Family is appreciative of your respect for one of their own.

CHEERS! To the life of a daring, giving, and respectable trailbreaker!
May 28, 2008

Tom P
Nice Tribute.
May 28, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Nice job GV.
May 29, 2008

Sylvio
Hey Gary & the whole crew.

I’m the grandson of a winemaker. Not a famous one though. He was just a fair man. I croped my first grapewines in his vineyard at the age of 5.
I later worked in restaurants for many years. I had the chance to sometimes open for customers great bottles and, when I was lucky enough, even to taste some of them.
I used to tell the guests of a place where I worked, in order to entice them on such bottle : “after having his/her wine tasted, I can tell that this producer is an honest man/woman” . I make my own opinions on how winemakers shape their wine. To me, this has never been a matter of making big business and profits.

The man you pay tribute to today was a very successful wine maker, and may be the nice man your describe (I can’t tell, I never met him). However, he could have been as successful as he has been in any other kind of business.
I don’t pretend to judge the man, only talk about some of his deeds.
He once launched a joint venture with a very famous actor (who is known in the U.S.A. to be representative of where I come from) to buy some land in a very beautiful area in the south of my country. Their first request was to completely destroy and rebuild the landscape in order to plant their vineyards in a more convenient way. The local administration’s people turned them down. They were then named them as “reds against business, freedom and democracy”*… Whereas the locals just wanted to preserve their countryside from being completely turned upside down. Because making wine is also a way to stay connected somehow with the earth and nature (some producers in my country planted their wineyards by following the earth’s magnetic fields and eventualy obtain better wines).

Wine world is various, just like humanity is. Some bottles are crafted as a work of art : when you taste one of them you are surprised, and led to alternative paths. Some are arrogant (they are very powerful and overflavoured right from the start, but won’t last more than half a second in the mouth) and deceptive wines who are designed especialy to establish a mainstream standard in wine drinking.
Among others, I own a bottle of south Burgundy Macon Vinzelles “Les Morandes” 2003 (Chardonnay), made by a couple who once had a very stress-generating job. They decided to quit, then started making wine. Therefore I bought a bottle from them that happened to be a very good value for money investement (it gave me a fat/thick cream texture sensation between the tongue an the palate, then went very fresh and aromatic as it descended down the throat).
Moreover, some wine makers don’t know how to deal with marketing. They might do a better job and craft a high quality wine, they will always make less money than those who have poorer wine, but are able to properly handle the image of their product. For these reasons, I don’t think I’ll ever spend 150 bones to buy the most famous Napa Valley bottle, for the sale price does not represent the value of what’s inside, but more what’s written on its label. I’d rather go for a cheaper priced Chilean cabernet sauvignon, Miguel Torres’ “Manso de Velasco” for instance. Because price cannot be the only benchmark (you also tell this in your show). For some wines can be made by partners in business. Investors/wine makers, chemists and critics who follow a 4 steps pattern : the first one buys under-estimated vineyards at low price, then makes wine with the help of the second one who micro-oxygenates. Then the third one overrates its quality in paper magazines. Finally the product can be sold at a way too high sale price, and generate an awful lot of money*.

On top of that, trade competition is unfair between wine makers all over the world. In some countries, the administration constrain wine makers with very restrictive rules, whereas some others have more latitude on their work process. As a result, I’ve tasted beverages labelled wine that were completely irrelevant regarding what I’ve been taught as being wine.

Regarding some critics, I tend to remain sceptic. What a wine drinker feels when he tastes can be completely different from his fellow co-drinker. Especially when it comes to flavours. I tend to think this is just because every person is different from another : our feelings refer to a personal background. It is a synaesthesia built on sensitive memory. Each and everyone’s is idiomatic. Smell can be a very powerful (and sometimes tricky) sense that works like an mental image catalogue. For instance, a peculiar aroma captured in my daily life can bring me back to a longtime memory, just like “Proust’s madeleine “. Thus I try to be cautious when some critics (not all of them) speak about wine’s flavor, because what one refers to, won’t match in every way with the feelings I have.
Though it’s a precious work of education you do, by improving wine lovers’ knowledge, some critics just behave as salesmen. Among them, a worldwidely famous one (who tends to uniform the wine taste all over the planet) is known to show contempt towards a production area from my country. He once had a very good bottle coming from this specific area blindtasted in a Bordeaux wine estate and completely failed as he answered this was a Bordeaux wine. His senses were just tricked by the way this wine had been crafted.
Therefore I prefer to tell my bottle-mates, whenever we share one, to build their own idea of what they like and what they don’t, rather than following the mainstream “doxology”.

I’ll ask you to apologise the length of my post, its digressions and possible mistakes. I tried to make myself as clear as possible, though English is not my native langage.

I’ll check if I can find the Napa cabernet you tried today in my country (might be ok, and less than 20 bucks may be honnest regarding its quality) and regularly keep on watchin your very interesting show on Miro.

Please, give info on when the film you talked about is released, I’d really like to watch it.

All the best,
Cya.

*Cf Johanthan Nossiter’s Mondovino (perhaps the man was angry at losing an oportunity to make big profits)
* Ibid
May 29, 2008

Mike d
Gary, very nice tribute, Robert was indeed a pioneer for California Wine!

A man who took America from White Zinfandel to Bob Red and Bob white(Woodbridge)to the Brands you see today, and set standards that are still used by many Wineries today. Who made Woodbridge into a 7,000,000 million case winery and still growing, who indroduced Fume’ to the American consumer and donated millions to Colleges and preserving the History of American wine. He was a great Man in many ways!
May 29, 2008

wayno da wino
Great Tribute to a Great Human Being !!!!!!
May 29, 2008

MtnCharlie
Nice Tribute. Thanks GV
May 29, 2008

Colin
Well done and welcome back!
May 30, 2008

thunderball
Nice! Good stuff…liked the 100 point honorary scoring too.
May 30, 2008

NADINE
Hey Gary,

This is nice of you to pay tribute. I think this is sweet, hope all is well with the book and all your multiple projects, keep i up !

NADINE -
May 30, 2008

SacramentoCharlie
He was the Henry Ford, the Bill Gates, the of the wine world. I tip my glass in thanks to Robert Mondavi.
May 31, 2008

thefanjestic
Nice tribute – very classy on the score.
May 31, 2008

Jason S.
Very nice tribute. There are very few wineries that can associated with a single person nowadays and not a corporation. We need more Robert Mondavi’s.
May 31, 2008

Lydia
Gary This was beautiful, very touching! One of my favorites, already seen 3 times! Thanks for a great tribute show.
June 1, 2008

Dan-o
GV – nice show, although not a huge Mondavi fan, it is good to give props to a pioneer in the industry!
June 1, 2008

Justin Thorp
Dude, I really dug this show. It was a fitting tribute, entertaining, plus I really felt like I learned something.

I think my fav episodes of WLTV have been then ones where I both learned something and was entertained.
June 2, 2008

Karl Laczko
Good show Gary, 94 years old is justification enough for a tribute, but coupled with someone who is a household name across the world the it was deserved. Not sure I’ll trust your palate this time on that 100 pointer though!

Welcome back….
June 4, 2008

SoCal
RIP
June 4, 2008

chedwick
Gary,

Thank you for this nice tribute. I did a small Mondavi tribute too. Genius. Incredibly generous.

Chedwick
June 13, 2008

V Mellado
Q.E.P.D
July 10, 2008

kjdion
love robert mundavi wines….
July 16, 2008

Tooch
Recently stopped by the Mondavi estate in Napa for some tasting. While overly commercialized, the history of the man/brand is staggering. He’ll be missed.
July 21, 2008

MattUD
A nice little show, and good tribute to someone so influential to the business.
January 13, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Thank you for this tribute to a man who helped change wine in this world. You have to respect a person for that. Although this post comes late, I give respect and well wishes for his family. Heres to a great man *cheers*
May 29, 2009

Black Canyon Coffee Estate
Good wine is as sweet as love.
September 1, 2009

Thomas Moore
Great tribute to such a great person.

Robert Mondavi will always be on our minds.