Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Robert Mondavi Winery Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Founder’s Birth

Shandana A. Durrani
By

robert mondavi winery celebrates 100th anniversary of founders birth in the vineyards
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Of all the elder statesmen of the American wine industry, nobody has made as much of an impact on the world of wine as Robert Mondavi. From his humble beginnings at Sunnyhill Winery to his partnership with Baron Philippe de Rothschild at Opus One, Mondavi left an indelible mark. This year marks the centennial of his birth and his Napa winery is celebrating it with much fanfare.

On June 18, the winery held a public toast in his honor and renamed a section of the vineyard, “Robert’s Block.” Martina McBride honored the winemaker at a concert and fireworks show on June 29. Furniture designer Frank Pollaro created a limited-edition bespoke Robert Mondavi Centenary Table made of California walnut. And master glassmaker Georg Riedel crafted a limited-edition decanter with artwork by Robert’s widow, Margrit. Not a bad legacy.

Recommended Videos

What truly set Mondavi apart from his peers—aside from pioneering the use of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels in California—was his love of fine wine and fine food. Here at The Manual, we’ve paired one of his best summer wines with an easy, breezy grilled dish. Viva celebration!

2010 Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Reserve: This fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc (from the To-Kalon vineyard) has hints of lemon and passion fruit with a creamy and smooth finish.

Grilled  Scallops with Rosemary

one dozen large diver scallops
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 lemon (for garnish)
salt and black pepper to taste
Combine scallops, oil, rosemary, salt and pepper in a large non-metal bowl. Let sit for one hour.
Thread scallops onto skewers. Grill at medium-high heat for three minutes on each side. Serve with lemon wedges.
Topics
Shandana A. Durrani
Shandana A. Durrani
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shandana A. Durrani has been a magazine editor and travel writer for more than two decades. Her work has appeared in numerous…
This is how to make the perfect dirty martini
Making a flavorful dirty martini is surprisingly easy
Dirty Martini

In the pantheon of classic cocktails, there are few more beloved than the Martini. Sure, the Old Fashioned, Margarita, and Manhattan get a lot of love, but only the Martini is the fictional secret agent James Bond’s favorite cocktail.

Although he preferred his shaken, most bartenders will tell you that to make a Martini is better when stirred. The classic Martini is made with gin, vermouth, and an olive or lemon peel garnish. Some drinkers mistakenly believe the cocktail is made with vodka, but that would technically make it a “Vodka Martini” as opposed to a classic Martini.
A murky history

Read more
Upgrade your next barbecue with elk, the healthy red meat you should be eating
First Light Farms is raising high-quality pasture-raised elk deliverable to your front door.
cooked elk with cup

First Light Farms elk backstrap. Marilynne Bell / First Light Farms

If you're looking for a red meat alternative to beef that's delicious and packed with nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, protein-packed elk might be the answer. A great place to get pasture-raised elk delivered is First Light Farms. This New Zealand-based company raises 100% grass-fed wagyu, venison, and, most recently, elk, all deliverable to your front door. First Light Farms sent us several of their items to try, and we interviewed them to learn all about this must-try red meat.

Read more
These are the wine regions in jeopardy due to climate change, study says
How climate change is affecting the wine world
A vineyard in the Russian River Valley between Guerneville and Healdsburg, California.

Photo by Andrew Davey Photo by Andrew Davey / Andrew Davey

Climate change is altering every aspect of the world we live in, and that's especially the case for agriculture. The wine industry continues to adapt, from making English sparkling wine to treating smoke impact from increased wildfires.

Read more