Redefining Excellence: A Bold New Chapter for Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery reopens on April 20, 2026, following a historic transformation.
Click here to experience the new chapter of Robert Mondavi Winery.

In December, we profiled the enduring legacy of Robert Mondavi Winery and previewed the facility's massive renovation project through our Building Brands That People Love series. In this next feature, we return to Robert Mondavi Winery to take a closer look at how the historic estate is thoughtfully evolving to meet the future through a transformation that:

• Reimagines the Napa Valley landmark by restoring the 1966 Cliff May architecture, preserving the iconic arch and tower and complementing the shape with the inverted gable roof of its new hospitality space.
  
• Enhances hospitality and design with seamless indoor-outdoor flow, refined tasting spaces, vineyard-facing terraces, and immersive cellar experiences.
  
• Deepens connections by allowing guests to book elevated winery experiences that include limited release wines, curated garden spaces, and the refurbished Tower Library.
  
• Advances environmental stewardship and innovation with modern winemaking technology, upgraded cellars, water reuse systems, solar energy, and thoughtful material reuse.
  
• Will further Robert Mondavi Winery’s legacy of exceptional hospitality that’s helped it earn a ranking on the World’s 50 Best Vineyards for seven consecutive years.
  

Reimagining an Icon: A Modern Expression of a Timeless Vision
Nearly six decades after first opening its doors, Robert Mondavi Winery is beginning a new chapter, one that honors its origins while confidently shaping its future. The iconic estate recently underwent a major renovation to preserve its founding vision while transforming into a contemporary and immersive Napa Valley experience. From architecture and storytelling to sustainability and hospitality, the renovation carries Robert Mondavi’s legacy forward, inviting guests to experience the winery as it was always meant to be. 

This renovation represents the first full-scale update to the Robert Mondavi Winery campus since it was originally designed and built in 1966. The team approached the project by envisioning how Robert Mondavi and architect Cliff May might reimagine the estate today – applying contemporary materials, technologies, and sustainability standards – while preserving the heritage and significance of this iconic property.

“With precision technology and thoughtful design, the reimagined winery and visitor center will honor the past while enabling us to set new standards for winemaking and elevated hospitality experiences,” said Peggy Hemphill, Director, Brand Marketing, US Wine & Spirits. 

Working in close collaboration with architecture firm Aidlin Darling Design, the design approach honored the winery’s original 1966 architecture. The renovation thoughtfully restores the estate’s original architectural intent, bringing renewed clarity and openness to its foundational design. The familiar arch and tower remain instantly recognizable, but the surrounding spaces are now refined to feel expansive, full of light, and an extension of the vineyard and land.

Throughout the estate, indoor and outdoor environments flow together more naturally, reinforcing a sense of place and orientation to the land. By reinhabiting old spaces, repurposing materials, and elevating artifacts, the design creates spaces that feel elevated and timeless.  

Put simply – the renovation reflects Robert Mondavi’s longstanding commitment to fostering connection through wine and celebrating the everyday moments that bring people together.

Connecting Visitors to the Wine and the Land 
As architect David Darling shared, “Our goal with the new design was to peel back unnecessary layers, restoring clarity to the original Cliff May design while reconnecting visitors to the surrounding landscape. We wanted to honor and celebrate Robert Mondavi’s legacy while refocusing attention on what really matters: the vineyard."

To Kalon Vineyard, the spiritual and agricultural core of Robert Mondavi Winery, is widely regarded as North America’s greatest vineyard. Its uniqueness and magic stem from the blend of art and science happening every day at the property. The redesigned estate highlights the vineyard and brings guests closer to the land and the craft of winemaking in intimate, meaningful ways.

The new visitor experience invites guests to engage with the land on multiple levels —floating above the vineyard in tasting rooms and terraces or descending into immersive garden spaces that reveal the deep connection between water, soil, and vine. The renovated space does not compete with the wine; instead, it allows guests to intimately understand it by interacting with the land, infrastructure, and people who shape it. 

“By spreading experiences across our gardens, vineyard, and winery, we’re creating a sense of openness and connection that feels luxurious yet relaxed,” said Hemphill. “We’ve also extended the vineyard right up to our hospitality space, giving you the feeling you are really in the heart of it all when you come to experience our wines. The quality of the wine in your glass is a direct result of the care and respect we show our vineyard, and we want our guests to feel like they’re a part of that, too.”

This renewed sense of immersion reinforces the brand’s enduring mission: to elevate American wine, honor Napa Valley, and welcome consumers into a world where place and purpose matter. 

Innovation, Stewardship & Purposeful Growth 
“Innovating for the future” is a cornerstone of the Robert Mondavi Winery brand. This philosophy extends beyond winemaking into design that highlights sustainability and how consumers experience the brand. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, the winery’s future-focused approach ensures it remains resonant while staying true to its roots.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the transformation, including: 

• A new water treatment system that recycles winery water for irrigation.
  
• A stormwater capture system that collects and reuses water from roofs and production processes.
  
• The incorporation of reclaimed materials throughout the estate, including wooden ceilings crafted from former oak fermenters and cement from the original water feature repurposed into the new feature that now flows through the visitor center.
  
  

Behind the scenes, the renovation also marks a major leap forward for winemaking. “Our new equipment gives us significantly more precision, from fermentation through to the glass,” said Kurtis Ogasawara, Director of Winemaking. “With updated tools, smaller tank sizes, and improved automation, we can bring out the full potential of each vineyard block while honoring the character of the land.”

Upgraded fermentation vessels, optical sorting technology, and enhanced barrel and temperature-controlled spaces allow the winemaking team to isolate smaller lots, refine extraction, and preserve both power and finesse—ensuring wines are expressive today and age beautifully for decades to come.

Together, the updates to the winemaking process are more than just a modernization of the equipment. The improvements will provide guests with a deeper understanding of the winery’s people, processes, and craftsmanship. 

Shaping the Future of Winemaking
Robert Mondavi Winery continues to be a global standard for wine due to its unrelenting pursuit to push the limits of winemaking excellence. Built on heritage and artistry, the winery is evolving with intention — honoring its past while shaping its future.

The renovation of Robert Mondavi Winery carries this legacy forward while elevating the visitor experience and connecting back to the land. As the estate prepares to welcome guests once again, it offers an invitation into a living legacy. 

Robert Mondavi Winery offers a range of experiences that invite guests to explore its exceptional wines, storied vineyards, and enduring legacy: 

• Pioneer Tasting: Enjoy a tasting of the Robert Mondavi Winery’s Napa and Estates wines while discovering the pioneering vision of Robert Mondavi and the estate’s storied history.
  
• Visionary Tasting: Experience Napa Valley’s terroir with a tasting of Robert Mondavi Winery’s Estates wines. This tasting is accompanied by curated culinary delights and sweeping views of the surrounding vines.
  
• Legend Tasting and Tour: Guests are fully immersed in the legacy of Robert Mondavi with an intimate tasting of the Robert Mondavi Winery’s Reserve wines, which showcase the legendary To Kalon Vineyard. Surrounded by beautiful views of the vineyard in which these wines are made, guests can enjoy curated culinary pairings thoughtfully designed to highlight each wine. This guided experience concludes with a private tour, offering rare access to exclusive spaces within the newly renovated estate.
  

We invite you to come experience the excitement of the newly re-opened winery starting April 20, 2026. Learn more and make your reservation at: https://robertmondaviwinery.com/pages/our-estate

All images courtesy of Aidlin Darling Design & MIR