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

By Shandana A. Durrani July 8, 2013

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.

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

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…

Food & Drink

Secrets revealed: Easy ways to elevate your cocktail game from a pro mixologist

How to improve your home mixology game

grasshopper cocktail

Making a top-notch cocktail is not implied. Even if you're working with a great drink recipe or all the necessary ingredients, you still have to execute. Fortunately, we know some people in the trade who have been turning out incredible cocktails for years.

That's certainly the case with Mike Milligan. He's the lead barkeep at Four Seasons in Oahu. From twists on classic cocktails to nailing a good egg white drink, he's the man for the job.

Food & Drink

Clams vs mussels: The differences explained

These two delicious ingredients are more different than you think

Seafood pasta

For whatever reason, shellfish has a rather high-maintenance reputation. Perhaps it's simply the lack of familiarity in many American households. Clams and mussels are indeed a delicious indulgence when dining out, but they are not necessarily a staple of weeknight dinners at home—at least, not necessarily in non-coastal states. Salmon or shrimp may be the fish that grace our tables on seafood night, but seldom mussels or clams. This may be because shellfish can be tricky and unfamiliar.

The truth is that both clams and mussels are impressive, delicious ingredients that are truly easy to prepare in a variety of ways. Whether steamed, broiled, baked, sauteed, or grilled, these beautifully briney little mollusks make for meals that feel elegant and sophisticated but with very little effort and usually a relatively small price tag. But what's the difference between these two shellfish, and how are they best used in your dishes at home?
Clams vs mussels: Similarities and differences

Food & Drink

Copperworks releases 3 new whiskeys, and they’re outstanding

The Seattle-based distillery is release three whiskeys

Two whiskey glasses

If you’ve never heard of Copperworks Distilling Company, now is the time to get on the proverbial bandwagon. Opened in 2013, this distillery is located in downtown Seattle. But, even with a tasting room and gift shop, it’s more than just a tourist destination. This award-winning outfit is well-known for its series of gins, vodka, and its small batch American single malt whiskey.

Its prowess in crafting American single malt whiskey is what we find most exciting. That’s why we were very interested to hear that the distillery was releasing not one, not two, but three new single malt whiskeys. They are Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 22-2 as well as Release 049 and Release 050.
The whiskeys