Genevieve Janssens becomes Chief Winemaker and Nova Cadamatre, MW, returns to winery as Senior Director of Winemaking
OAKVILLE, Calif. (July 16, 2018) – In July 2018 Genevieve Janssens transitions from Director of Winemaking to Chief Winemaker at Robert Mondavi Winery, and Nova Cadamatre, MW, re-joins the team as Senior Director of Winemaking. Working together once again, Genevieve and Nova carry forward Robert Mondavi’s vision for creating wines that stand in the company of the world’s finest.
As Chief Winemaker, Genevieve will continue to provide insight into the heritage and history of the vineyards, winery and legacy of Robert Mondavi. Genevieve first worked at Robert Mondavi Winery from 1978-1979 as a lab enologist. For the next decade she held several consulting positions in California before reconnecting with the Mondavi family in 1989, when they entrusted her to oversee the construction of Opus One Winery as Director of Production. In 1998, at the request of the Mondavi family, Genevieve returned to Robert Mondavi Winery as Director of Winemaking, where she worked alongside Robert Mondavi until his death in 2008. During her tenure she oversaw major innovations in the vineyards and the cellar, including construction of the winery’s state-of-the art To Kalon Fermentation Cellar in 2000. Today, Genevieve is one of the most respected winemakers in the world, known for her commitment to quality and her championship of the world-class wines of To Kalon Vineyard and the Napa Valley.
Nova Cadamatre is uniquely positioned to take over the day-to-day management of Robert Mondavi Winery’s winemaking program, having worked at the winery from 2013-2015, where she served alongside Genevieve on the red wine program. In addition, Nova’s resume includes one of the first viticulture degrees from Cornell University’s Viticulture and Enology program, and winemaking experience at such venerable estates as: Beringer Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean, Chateau Souverain and most recently 240 Days, a producer of small-lot wines from the Finger Lakes region. In 2017, Nova became the first female winemaker in the United States to earn a Master of Wine degree, one of the most difficult wine certifications in the world.
“Nova’s dedication to excellence embodies the Robert Mondavi winemaking philosophy. She is the perfect addition to our team and will carry the torch forward so that future generations can experience and enjoy Robert Mondavi’s vision of balanced, world-class wines,” says Genevieve.
About Robert Mondavi Winery
Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 by winemaking pioneer Robert Mondavi. As the first major winery built in Napa Valley after the repeal of Prohibition, Robert Mondavi Winery created the foundation for the modern-day California wine industry. An ardent believer that wines should reflect their origins and be made to harmonize with food, Mr. Mondavi charted a winemaking course that is now legendary. Today, Robert Mondavi Winery carries on Mr. Mondavi’s legacy through dedication to the land, winemaking excellence, and warm hospitality. At the heart of the winery is the historic To Kalon Vineyard, a 440-acre parcel of exceptional provenance that contributes to the winery’s red wine program, including the iconic Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and also famously includes the five-acre I Block. Planted in 1945, I Block is believed to be the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in the New World. For more information, please visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com.
