A Wine Story

     The late Robert Mondavi, founder of Mondavi Wines, interviewed by Marisa D'Vari

The first time I met famed Robert Mondavi was at a Napa Valley restaurant where I was interviewing several chefs and wine makers for my television show.



Click Above for Part 1 of 3 Part Video Interview Series
Click Here for Part 2
Click Here for Part 3
Click Here for Audio MP3 only

     A waiter introduced us, and Mr. Mondavi and his effervescent wife Margrit Biever Mondavi joined our table. I was invited to interview him the following day at his winery.

     In these video and audio clips, he shares the story of his life, including the fact he graduated from Stanford University in 1937 with a degree in economics and business administration. Afterwards, he worked with his father who had acquired the Charles Krug Winery.

     In 1968 he made a dry oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc, not too popular in California at the time, labeling it "Fumé Blanc" which in the fullness of time became accepted as a synonym for Sauvignon Blanc. This wine was a hit.

     After this shooting this video I continued to see Robert and Magrit Mondavi over the years, notably on his many trips to the East to promote the Mondavi label at wine tasting dinners.

     A super energetic and positive individual, what I remember most about him was how he loved his mother's cooking, and also, the importance of massage. He had one a week until he turned 86, and at that point, felt it beneficial to have one every day.

Salute!

P.S.

When I interviewed Julia Child in Boston, I found out how the fantastic Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts came to be.

Both Robert Mondavi and Julia Child were in Santa Barbara at a wine and food event, and a university educator suggested they join forces to create an institution for the study of food and wine. Now that they have both passed, I think we should all be glad their spirit is very much alive in Copia.