for mondavi, among the patron saints of all things both modern and classic

for mondavi, among the patron saints of all things both modern and classic

As I write this, I have picked up Woodbridge wines twice in just the past week; and countless times have I cheerfully accepted, ordered, or purchased a Woodbridge wine. And so increasingly inspired by the Mondavi story will I begin reading The House of Mondavi by Julia Flynn Siler--the story of the family's winemaking history; with this short piece I aim to begin a larger exploration of the Mondavi legacy.

For the length of my time becoming intimate with the world of wine, the undeniable paramountacy of the Mondavi family's stemma has maintained my reverence and appreciation. Always has the vision of Robert Mondavi in particular been incredibly resonant with my own ideals; and of course further, even with the passage of nearly fifty years the love and life of Mondavi himself persists-- the wines do not falter, they do not dismay, and I have yet to be disenchanted with the luminosity of the Robert Mondavi winery and its pedigree. The momentousness of Mondavi's work, most especially for Napa Valley and California overall, but also for the entirety of the United States' wine production, has been lauded openly and with absolution. Without his innovation, the state of the wine economy in the US, I venture, would be several steps behind its current position. Italian in descent, Mondavi's father led Robert and his brother Peter with his first venture with a domestic winery business--Robert and his brother eventually splintered: Robert opened his own eponymously named Napa Valley winery, while Peter assumed control of the Charles Krug winery, also in Napa.

Robert Mondavi's was the first installation of a winery in Napa since Probhibition, in 1966. The underpinnings, the essence of the viticulture and vinification since has adhered to the original conviction of Mondavi: to make accessible the more beautiful things in life--to introduce the modern American of the 1960s & 70s [at the time who had been tossed about in a cheapened, culturally bastardized society, I would argue] to more elevated artforms. For Mondavi, this meant a movement away from mass produced swill 'wine', introduction of art to the everyday, and an overall embracing of what is at its quintessence a very European approach to life. Mondavi believed fervently that a polish of the quotidian needn't only be a privilege of the elite, but instead attainable by all looking to bring beauty and joy to their dinner tables--in the form of affordable, high quality wine.

Mondavi's winemaking introduced the California industry to European as well as recently developed techniques--stainless steel tank fermentation, French oak barrel aging, cold fermentation--that were until then absent in the infantile US wine culture. Of course, famously, Mondavi's eminence was crystallized with his groundbreakingly excellent Napa Cabernet, and also with his reintroduction of Sauvignon Blanc as a valuable wine for dining to the American consumer; both as early as the 1960s. Later on in 1979, Mondavi expanded his capacity with the joint Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi line near Lodi in the Central Valley. Woodbridge wines have for thirty years proven to be extensions of the crux of Robert Mondavi operations-- 'art and gracious living for all people'.

Woodbridge wines are among the most consistent, well-balanced, and pure varietal bottlings in their price range. If Mondavi's vision half a century ago was to proffer a breadth of lovely wines, wines to add enjoyment and spirit to all lifestyles, but that escape any trace of pretension; then his Woodbridge wines have helped to fulfill this vision. For the slim price tag especially (under $10), I have consistently, repeatedly felt a simplistic satisfaction with the quality and ease of these wines. The target palate is not narrowly defined--Woodbridge wines are made to be incredibly smooth and delicious immediately out of the bottle, equating ultimate approachability. And of course, Woodbridge wines have very large distribution; they are available virtually anywhere. For me, often the reliability and quality of these wines have come to the rescue either of a tight budget, or of company with unpredictable tastes in wine. Further, Woodbridge wines are also widely available in magnum format--making them perfect selections for large parties [as it is often difficult to find delicious, inexpensive party-sized wines in smaller wine markets].

I will continue my reliance on Mondavi's affordable, gracious Woodbridge wines and will continue to encourage their purchase to others; the wines are varietally correct, balanced, expressive, lively, and widely appealing. Cheers to attainable luxury.