Spring / Summer 2005
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Reflections on the sale of Robert Mondavi Winery

By Tom Shelton, President & CEO

The sale of Robert Mondavi Winery to Constellation has been a topic of considerable interest to consumers and trading partners with whom I have regular contact. The iconic status of the Robert Mondavi brand is a legacy of the passion with which Mr. Mondavi convinced the wine-consuming world, not to mention a few local vintners, that Napa Valley wines must be considered among the finest of them all. Those of us who aspire to travel in his footsteps know full well the measure of Mr. Mondavi’s accomplishments, and wish to keep close this greatest ambassador of Napa Valley.

In quiet conversation among the Napa Valley vintner community there is an unmistakable sense of evolutionary change represented by the earlier acquisition of Beringer Winery and now Robert Mondavi Winery by interests headquartered outside the Napa Valley. Cultural fissions are already apparent through questions raised over the 100% Napa Valley seal, the desire by some to reduce standards for vintage dating of wines, and even the appropriate means through which to recognize and memorialize the contributions of Mr. Mondavi himself.

I am included among those who date the beginning of Napa Valley’s rise to the top of international recognition with the establishment of Robert Mondavi Winery in 1966. The story since then has largely been one of continuous selection and advancement in the quality of vineyard architecture, location and, of course, winemaking. Not surprisingly, these advancements are measured today in phenomenal land prices and stunning brand valuations.

Napa Valley has reached a confluence of consolidation and generational transition at a time of structural uncertainty within the wine industry. How these waters are navigated will reshape our vision, our wines and our paths to market. The reputation of this extraordinary winegrowing region is founded upon unflinching investment in qualitative advancement and an inherent belief that success for one increases the prospects for all. Sustaining that success will depend upon finding leaders, the successors to Mr. Mondavi, who still believe.