One of the most famous figures in American winemaking, Robert Mondavi,
died on Friday. Mondavi, who was 94, was considered "the Father of Napa" and is credited with bringing Napa Valley and California wine in general to worldwide attention and fame. When he started creating wine it was assumed that only Europe could make good wine. By studying with and partnering with some of the great wine families of Europe he created many great wines.
While the future of the Mondavi wines themselves may be in question, Mondavi's influence on modern winemaking cannot be overstated. His legacy is more than the wines that bear his name but is instead a whole new way of thinking about New World wine that has led to quality wines not just in Napa but all around the U.S. and other parts of the world. Mondavi also donated millions of dollars to the University of California at Davis, which offers many winemaking programs, and founded the the art and wine center, Copia and was committed to advancing wine education.
Sadly another of Robert Mondavi's legacies is in trouble. The Napa Valley food and wine center Copia went into liquidation recently and now Taste3, the annual conference celebrating food and wine, is on hold. Taste3 is sponsored by the Robert Mondavi Winery and brings food writers, chefs, winemakers and other artisans together each year for a weekend of talks and tastings. The conference depends on both sponsorships and having plenty of buyers for the tickets, which in 2008 cost $1950 for the weekend. The current economy has proved to be a challenge for many festivals and events and Taste3 would also have to find a new venue now that Copia is closed. The next Taste3 is planned for 2010.
