Napa Valley’s Oldest Winery Celebrates Patriarch Peter Mondavi Sr.’s Centennial Birthday
NAPA, Calif., Nov. 6, 2014 – Charles Krug Winery and the Peter Mondavi Sr. family announced today the centennial birthday of winery patriarch Peter Mondavi, Sr. is on Saturday, November 8th, making him the oldest working winemaker in the Napa Valley. Since assuming the role of President at Charles Krug in 1976, Peter has made great contributions to the Napa Valley and the California wine industry. He studied at Stanford University, conducted revolutionary research on cold fermentation at UC Berkeley, pioneered planting chardonnay and pinot noir grapes in the Carneros region and is recognized as the first Napa Valley vintner to adapt cold sterile filtration techniques and import and use small French oak barrels.
Mr. Mondavi has focused on keeping Charles Krug Winery family run, as Peter Sr. and his sons Marc and Peter Jr. continue their dedication to producing acclaimed Bordeaux‐style wines in the Napa Valley. To achieve this, they initiated a nine‐year, $22 million investment project completed in 2010. Over 400 of the winery’s 850 prime acres in Napa Valley have been re‐planted and state‐of‐the‐art winemaking equipment is now in use. Peter Mondavi Jr. had this to say about his father’s milestone birthday, “We are extremely proud of Dad, not only for the contributions he has made to the California wine industry, but also because of his commitment to the community, the Napa Valley and our family‐owned winery. His passion for this place continues to motivate him on a daily basis and inspires us all.”
To commemorate the 100th birthday of Peter Mondavi Sr., Charles Krug Winery is introducing “The Centennial Tasting Experience.” For three days only, November 7th‐9th, winery guests can enjoy a VIP barrel tasting of two special wines for only 1 cent with the purchase of a winery tasting flight. Barrel samples include a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from the family’s Cold Springs Vineyard in the Howell Mountain AVA and a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from their Slinsen Vineyard in Yountville.
As the very first winery to open a tasting room in California, Charles Krug Winery brings Napa Valley’s history to life. A vibrant blend of old and new, the winery features authentic artifacts alongside a state‐of‐the‐art barrel room nd beautifully renovated tasting room that includes the newly opened Cucina di Rosa. The Cucina, which is currently open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, features locally sourced products to pair with Charles Krug wines, allowing guests to relax over lunch. Named after the winery’s matriarch, Rosa Mondavi, the Cucina launched to commemorate the 100th birthday of Peter Sr., bringing the renovation of the historic winery and property full circle. For additional information please visit http://www.charleskrug.com/; fans are encouraged to wish Peter Mondavi Sr. a happy birthday on social media via Facebook (@Charles Krug Winery), Instagram (@charleskrugwinery) and Twitter (@charleskrugwine) using
#pmondavi100.
About Charles Krug Winery
The Charles Krug Winery, Napa Valley’s oldest winery, was established by Prussian immigrant Charles Krug in 1861. In 1943, Italian immigrants Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the historic property, which remains a family‐owned winery producing estate‐driven Napa Valley wines. Built on a foundation of family values, hard work and European winemaking tradition, the winery offers a portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux‐style wines. The winery is
under the direction of Peter Mondavi Jr., who along with his brother Marc Mondavi, stewards the family business passed to them by their father, legendary Napa Valley wine icon Peter Mondavi Sr., who continues to serve as President and CEO. The family is now proudly welcoming members of the fourth generation to the business, continuing a legacy started over 70 years ago and setting a foundation for generations to come.
Family shows in this winery. There is a fierce pride in the winery tasting room. There is a definite “trickle down” from CEO Peter Mondavi, Sr. looking after patrons of the winery. As a wine columnist, I found our visit to be extraordinary!