This is an abridged version of a story because they were many more events than these.
As this previous post establishes, Prohibition (1917-1933) decimated the American wine industry. Gallo produced jug and fortified wines to fit the market needs, but popularizing fine wines was still decades away.
In the 1940s, Cesare Mondavi sold grapes, and later in the decade became a partner in two wineries. Interestingly, each son (Peter and Robert) got their exposure here.
In 1943, Cesare purchased the well-known Krug winery. With Peter as the winemaker, and Robert focusing on marketing, they produced two labels: CK Mondavi (for quantity) and Krug (for quality).
Cesare died in 1959, so his wife ran the company. They struggled, the brothers argued, and she chose Peter to lead a revival in 1965 – leaving Robert to be on his own.
Robert’s became enamored with fine wines on a 1962 trip to Europe, thus he was now free to pursue his dream of making fine wine in America. In his quest to find start-up money, his public relations skills helped find supportive winemakers. His first harvest came in 1966. The winery’s tasting room drew tourists, and his brand became known. By the 1970s, Mondavi was leading the wine revolution in America – but it was still a country of inexpensive, jug wines.
The story changes direction in 1975 when Stephen Spurrier (a British sommelier and wine shop owner in Paris) visits Napa Valley for the first time. The region was far from what we find today nonetheless, American wines caught Spurrier’s attention.
Upon returning to Paris, he organized a blind tasting competition featuring American and French wines a year later. Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (1973) and Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (1973) won, thus beating the notable wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy. (Ever see the movie Bottle Shock?)
The world finally recognized that fine wines were in America, and the dreams of Thomas Jefferson and Nicholas Longworth came to be. Americans also took notice over time. In 2006 (30 years later) Spurrier hosted another competition, and American wines won.
Today, all 50 states have wineries. California still leads the way, but quality wines are also in Oregon and Washington – plus New York and Virginia in the east. Ironically, one of the wine regions is near Thomas Jefferson’s home.
Jug wines remain popular, and Gallo (with its 60+ labels) is one of the largest wine producers in the world – and its stable now includes quality wines. Robert Mondavi died in 2008 at age 94, but sold his winery to Constellation Brands in 2004.
According to the Wine Institute, the United States is sixth in the world in grape acreage, fourth in production, and is the largest global consumer of wine. As a wine lover, thank you Robert Mondavi for being a believer and tireless promoter of quality wine – and for leading the charge.
Enjoy this interesting, quality tribute to Robert Mondavi.
Other Posts in the Wine in America Series
The Start
Temperance and Wine
Revival: Gallo Style
Cheers to Robert Mondavi. I think I have some of his goods chilling now!
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Elyse,
That a way! RM is proud to be serving the Queen.
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Been experimenting with some American wines lately, specifically J Lohr’s Cabernet and Cakebread Chardonnay as well as several others. Different, yet very good. The Chardonnay is exceptionally buttery and is beautiful with salmon and anything done honey mustard. Perfect.
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John,
I don’t know if you can find it up there, but for another buttery chard, try Rombauer.http://www.rombauer.com/index.cfm …. simply many good wines from California in for all price ranges. It’s also a good vacation.
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Thanks. I’ll give it a look. We are actually looking at that as a next vacation.
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FYI: Wine country vacations in California are wonderful!
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We’ve planned in the past and had them fall through. From Calgary we could drive through Washington and Oregon wine country on the way. Make it a diverse trip.
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That would be wonderful. Keep in mind that Washington wine country is further east than Oregon’s … but very accessible … and you get to see the Columbia River valley is transit.
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That works for us as we are east of Washington, nice traverse through to the Pacific. Been along the Columbia River in Canada. Revelstoke area in BC and south through Nakusp. Love being 45 minutes from the mountains.
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You will have a great trip! Hopefully it moves up your list!
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Same here aFrank.
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… and I’ll gladly provide recommendations when needed if requested.
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Awesome
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Great post, Frank. I loved “Bottle Shock.” There are actually some good wines coming out of New Mexico, too.
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Cathy,
Gruet has a very good reputation for their bubbly! Thanks for the reminder … and cheers to being the first (and only at this point) to acknowledge Bottle Shock.
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Gruet was exactly the winery I was thinking about, Frank. Their Blanc de Noir champagne is wonderful. There’s also a lovely little winery in Dixon, NM – La Chiripada that produces some wonderful reds.
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You know what they say about great minds. 🙂
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I think it is great that wine making is so wide spread. Why, we even know how to make wine in Iowa. It goes well with pork, beef, sweet corn, and apple pie.
We visit an establishment in Iowa City Called John’s Grocery.
http://www.johnsgrocery.com/About/index.cfm
It is the last family owned grocery in the city. They offer a very extensive number of fine wines from all over the world. We will ask them to put together a case of wines from a region, by type, etc, and keep it under $xx.xx if possible. It’s a fun way to try some you might not pick yourself.
Thanks, Frank. I raise my glass to you.
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Jim,
john’s Grocery sounds like a wonderful place. Their wine list impressed me … and I applaud the way you buy your wine!
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Wow, I honestly didn’t know that there were wineries in all 50 states.
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Angela,
Yep … all 50. Although outdated, here’s a 2007 listing, http://www.wine-road.com/education/articles/state-winery-rankings.php
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It’s sometimes hard to believe the way wineries have proliferated in such a short period of time. Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast all the way to Paso Robles, as you well know, is relative new to viticulture, and yet they are tremendously popular with very good wine. Now we watch to see what climate change is going to do…there may some new varietals that come about, but we’ll see how adaptable the industry can be! Interesting all the way through, Frank.
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Debra,
As you well know, the growth in the California wine industry is amazing. I was recently telling my wife that we still have to visit Amador, Mendicino, and Sonoma Coast. Meanwhile, great point about climate change!!!
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Of course it was started by Italians! We don’t see many US wines in Australia. I’ll have to come over to you to try them xx
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Spiced,
Italians had a big roll in US wines, especially in California. Besides, they kept making wine during Prohibition. I’m not surprised that not many US wines are in Australia. Then again, you have plenty of your own that are very good!
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a beautiful post, Frank…thanks for sharing this passionate legacy of a man. ♥
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Sunshine,
Robert Mondavi definitely left a legacy. When you get a chance (if you so desire) follow the series for a brief history about wine in the US.
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just watching the video you offered was quite educational. thanks, Frank for another great tip. ☺
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Sunshine,
That video was a last-minute addition … and wow … a very good one!!! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Cheers, Frank!
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Cheers Kayjai!
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One motivated man!!!
Happy Tuesday, Frank & cheers!
🙂
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Marina,
Well said as the video supports your statement!
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I will have to try a wine from these States sometime – though I do admit to being partial to certain South African wines 🙂
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Colline,
Being partial to South African wines is understandable. Heck, they were featured for the first time on the cover of Wine Spectator!
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Temperance never had a chance.
I’ve seen the CA wine country – hear the ones in the East are the trendiest trips now.
So hard to believe the vineyards in central Texas when they first started – but they are blossoming now – more surprising are the ones appearing around here – on the Gulf Coast.
Temperance so never had a chance
Nice wander through the history
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Mouse,
Amazing how the industry has grown substantially in the last 30 years! … and in many locations as you note! … If memory serves me correctly, don’t you have a family member in the wine biz?
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I now know who to toast when I pick up my next glass of wine at dinner. Here here!
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Peter,
Toasting Mr. Mondavi is well deserved …. as would toasting Ernest and Julio Gallo. … Might as well toast Nicholas Longworth!
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Very interesting. Good job.
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Fasab,
Thank you kind sir … now back to your ice cream! 😉
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Interesting post, Frank. I have a lot of catching up to with American wines, but I’ll do my best. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Well … if you return to Florida this year, then is the time to dive into the vastness of California wine. When the time comes, remind me and I’ll gladly pass along some recommendations.
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Even though i do not partake in wine, I had no idea that every state has a winery. I thought that was just reserved for certain states. Loved the history lesson today Frank
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Kay,
Yep … some as few that can be counted on one hand. In one of the comments above I supplied an old list by states. Having wineries is one thing, but good wine is another, and very good wine is another challenging step.
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I never know what brands to buy when I am in a new country. It’s nice to have a name.
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Cuttlefish,
When you return to the US, I’ll gladly help with suggestions.
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