Building Brands That People Love: Robert Mondavi Winery

To achieve this vision, Robert Mondavi made To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville the heart of his winery, recognizing its extraordinary potential. His innovative winemaking techniques and dedication to elevating Napa Valley helped define American fine wine, while his tireless promotion of food, wine, and culture helped transform Napa into a vibrant community and global destination.

“Mr. Mondavi’s drive for excellence still remains core to who we are today,” notes Peggy Hemphill, Director of Brand Marketing, U.S. Wine and Spirits. “It continues to guide everything we do, whether it comes to the stewardship of our land and vineyards or the craft and quality that goes into the making of every single bottle of wine.”

The Pursuit of World-Class Wines
Robert Mondavi knew that Napa Valley could rival the world’s best wine regions – particularly for its ability to produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks to tireless advocacy, innovation, and focus on high-quality grapes from the finest vineyards, Mr. Mondavi achieved world-class standards for his Cabernet Sauvignon while elevating Napa Valley to global prominence.

Today, the Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon continues to represent the definitive expression of the region’s excellence – and is celebrated as the original, enduring benchmark and global ambassador for fine wine from Napa Valley. 

Winemaking is guided by a simple mandate from Mr. Mondavi himself: “Make wines that can stand beside the greatest in the world.” For Kurtis Ogasawara, Director of Winemaking, that philosophy is both a responsibility and an inspiration. “Our team continues to carry forward his mindset; constantly learning, improving, and driving quality to new levels,” he shares.

As consumer preferences evolve, the winery’s commitment to a world-class craft remains essential. “We push ourselves to continually improve and enhance our practices, so our wines continue to be benchmarks of quality and distinction for new generations of wine drinkers,” Kurtis adds.

Whether crafting Cabernet Sauvignon, Fumé Blanc, or Chardonnay, the winemaking team focuses on classic varietal expression and a signature house style: concentrated without excess, fresh yet complex, and inherently food-friendly. Thoughtful blending, tailored fermentation, and careful oak integration allow each wine to retain its individuality and reflect its origin, while clearly belonging to the Robert Mondavi Winery family.

The Land That Shapes Our Wines
The Robert Mondavi Winery team are stewards of the To Kalon Vineyard — which serves as its home and is widely regarded as North America’s greatest vineyard. The meticulous care and reverence for this incredible land is an essential part of its heritage and a foundation of the Robert Mondavi Winery’s commitment to producing exceptional wines.

Known for its rare combination of soil, microclimate, and history, the To Kalon Vineyard produces fruit with unparalleled depth, complexity, and expression. “We farm with care, treating the vineyard as a living system, and we pursue both environmental and social stewardship with equal dedication,” explains Blake Wood, Director of Vineyard Operations. “The goal is to maintain the highest and best use of the land as a world-class vineyard.”

Organic farming practices respect each plant’s natural rhythm, minimizing disruption and promoting long-term resilience. Soil guides irrigation, canopy management is adjusted row by row, and elevation and sun exposure shape the character of the fruit. “Every decision we make considers the land’s health, the environment, and the communities connected to it,” Blake shares. This blend of science, experience, and intuition ensures that each block produces grapes at their peak potential.

The result of the Vineyard Team’s dedication is world-class quality and care that comes through with every glass of wine. “Enjoying a bottle of Robert Mondavi Wine is to participate in this connection between the land, the craft and the art,” said Blake.

Redefining Hospitality: A Bold New Chapter for Robert Mondavi Winery
Robert Mondavi’s personal philosophy was centered on enjoying meaningful social rituals, brought to life with good wine, good food, and the company of friends – a doctrine that drove his endless pursuit to provide world-class hospitality. Today, the Robert Mondavi Winery carries on his legacy of providing exceptional hospitality – an enduring commitment that’s helped earn the winery recognition among the World’s 50 Best Vineyards for seven consecutive years.

Now, as the Robert Mondavi Winery approaches its 60th anniversary, work is nearly finished on a multi-year renovation project that’s transforming its estate and hospitality center to honor and maintain its impressive legacy, while further advancing its excellence in fine wine, responsible stewardship, and world-class hospitality.

Set to open in April 2026, the historic renovation preserves the winery’s iconic architecture while introducing new elements that connect guests to the land and stories of winemaking.

“The winery re-opening will be such a big moment for us not just because of what it will do for our local Napa community, but because it will be a moment to recapture the attention of the broader wine world and carry forward Robert Mondavi Winery’s legacy as a global leader,” said Peggy. 

This next chapter reflects everything the winery stands for: belief in cultivating meaningful experiences, precision in craftsmanship, and deep respect for the land.


Peggy notes that this investment is doing more than reshaping the winery itself — it’s giving the team powerful new ways to deepen relationships with loyal consumers while welcoming a new generation discovering fine wine.

"We carry 60 years of extraordinary history and heritage, as well as an enduring legacy that Robert Mondavi created,” said Peggy. “And for a new generation of wine lovers who bring fresh perspectives and curiosity – we have a story that’s just as remarkable: a bold renovation that showcases our mastery in winemaking, our passion for design, and our unwavering commitment to the land we steward.”

Rooted in heritage, grounded in the land, and committed to excellence, the winery is building on its global legacy while boldly shaping the next 60 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and unforgettable experiences for generations to come.