I wasn't ready for it when I read the news and I didn't realize I felt so strongly about Mr. Mondavi (whom I never had the chance to meet). But I feel a loss equivalent to when I lost my grandfather who guided me (and inspired me) with his wisdom through some of my most important decisions in life. What is it about Mr. Mondavi that strikes such a deep feeling in me?
First, Mr. Mondavi is directly responsible for the life I lead today (and I speak for thousands of other professionals in the food and wine industry). It was a Napa Cab that made me redirect my life towards the wine industry. This Napa Cab, while not a Mondavi wine, was a result of Mondavi's work. In fact, well before there was Robert Parker, there was Robert Mondavi, who raised the bar on wine for all the world to follow, even France and Italy. Apart from believing in Napa (which really represents any region outside of the "chosen" regions in Europe) at a time when few believed, Mr. Mondavi drove to improve wine through technological advancements which is what that Napa Cab was that I fell in love with.
Next is Mr. Mondavi, as a visionary, marketer, and, ultimately, a liberator. His efforts influenced the rest of the world to take wine more seriously and to raise the bar on their own wines offering consumers much better wines at much more affordable prices. I wouldn't be here today, writing this article, if wine had stayed in the "chosen" regions, with funky tastes explained away as terroir, and at inaccessible prices. We have Mr. Mondavi to thank. He is the Simon Bolivar of wine.
Finally, it was Mr. Mondavi's generous heart that will tatoo him forever on my own heart. His focus- sharing, perpetuating, advancing the arts and sciences which ultimately result in us living happier, healthier, longer lives.
Farewell Bob. Thank you so much for being such an active contributor to planet Earth. You've inspired so many of us to try to contribute, even if only a fraction of what you did, Thank you. Farewell.
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