Comprised of three preeminent Napa Valley Winemakers, the Robert Mondavi Winery Technical Council ushers in a transformative era for the iconic fine wine brand
Oakville, CA (November 5, 2021) – Robert Mondavi Winery today announces the creation of the Robert Mondavi Winery Technical Council, a group of acclaimed winemakers whose combined expertise, perspective and winemaking excellence will help solidify the brand’s role as the soul of Napa Valley fine wine. The first of its kind within the wine industry, the Technical Council employs a “think tank” approach that brings together industry leaders to provide strategic guidance on winemaking, viticulture and other brand aspects, honoring Robert Mondavi’s role as a Napa Valley pioneer and innovator, while crystallizing the brand’s leadership position in the category.
“We are at the genesis of an historic transformation for the Robert Mondavi Winery brand, one which we believe will elevate it to once again be the defining luxury wine leader in the Napa Valley,” says Robert Hanson, Executive Vice President and President, Wine & Spirits, for Constellation Brands. “The formation of the Technical Council is essential to this transformation. This incredible collective embodies the collaborative, pioneering spirit of Mr. Mondavi by bringing together the best minds to honor the heritage of this iconic fine wine brand while elevating its future ambitions.”
The Council’s inaugural members include Robert Mondavi Winery Chief Winemaker Geneviève Janssens, and acclaimed Napa Valley winemakers Andy Erickson and Thomas Rivers Brown. Additional members will be selected over time to create a diverse group with an unrivaled collection of expertise. A collaborative style rather than a consulting model of winemaking, the new approach brings each member’s extensive knowledge and unique perspective to the wines of Robert Mondavi Winery.
“Mr. Mondavi was a true visionary and innovator, and I am thrilled to be a part of something he would have found so exciting,” says Geneviève Janssens, Chief Winemaker. “I am honored to be working alongside my esteemed colleagues Thomas and Andy to make the best possible wine from this world-class site.”
Drawing upon the winery’s location in the heart of the legendary To Kalon® Vineyard and Robert Mondavi’s early vision for what its unique terroir could impart, the Technical Council will take up his visionary mindset to secure the winery’s luxury position as a modern classic brand. In the spirit of Mr. Mondavi’s relentless pursuit of excellence, the Technical Council will:
- Make key winemaking and viticulture decisions to continue the brand’s legacy of making world-class wines
- Contribute to the winery’s leadership in sustainability, beginning with a collaborative partnership with Monarch Tractor to deploy electric tractors to farm To Kalon® Vineyard, which will achieve organic certification in 2023
- Create small-lot wines from the legendary To Kalon Vineyard under the Robert Mondavi Winery label, starting with an exciting collaboration on the 2019 vintage, to be announced in the coming weeks
- Make recommendations on facility innovation and development, as well as visitor experiences at the property
- Provide strategic guidance and innovative insights throughout the brand’s transformation journey
For additional information, please visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com.
About Robert Mondavi Winery
The Soul of Napa Valley Fine Wine. Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with the vision of creating a collection of wines from California’s Napa Valley that could compete with the world’s finest. Through tireless innovation, an uncompromising eye for quality, and boundless enthusiasm, he made believers out of wine lovers everywhere. His wines, and the winemaking team that continues to be inspired by him, strive for ever-finer quality, vintage after vintage.
Located next to Highway 29, in the heart of Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi Winery invites guests to dream, create, share and celebrate in Mr. Mondavi’s pioneering spirit. Visitors enjoy luxury wines of the finest quality in the context of a world-class hospitality experience that includes superior customer service, elevated culinary experiences, and a celebration of the arts. At the heart of the winery is To Kalon® Vineyard, a 440-acre parcel of exceptional provenance that contributes to the winery’s Napa Valley, Estate and Reserve wine programs. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, has been named the Best Vineyard in North America and is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the world.
To learn more about Robert Mondavi Winery, visit robertmondaviwinery.com or follow the winery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @robertmondavi.
