Milestones: 100 Years
Peter MondaviThere’s a very special birthday on Napa Valley’s horizon. On November 8, 2014, Peter Mondavi Sr., president/CEO and lead ambassador for C. Mondavi & Family and Charles Krug Winery, will turn 100. And while this living legend has accomplished so much professionally over his esteemed lifetime, this is a milestone that’s to be celebrated on a more personal level.
So to what does he attribute his longevity? Mondavi says he keeps mentally active through his continuing involvement in his family wine business; he keeps physically active by walking and climbing stairs to his office every day (you can see him demonstrate this here)—and that drinking Charles Krug wine daily, in moderation, doesn’t hurt, either.
Happy birthday, Peter, it’s an honor to have you in our presence.
Peter Mondavi, Sr. Timeline
1914: Born in Virginia, Minn., to Cesare and Rosa Mondavi
1937: Earned an economics degree from Stanford University
1946: Returned from the Army following World War II to join his family’s business, Charles Krug Winery, which was purchased in 1943. Introduced cold fermentation techniques learned at UC Berkeley (graduate school) to the winery
1963: Introduced French oak barrels to the winery
1965: Named president of Charles Krug Winery
1989: Named one of the 12 Living Legends in Napa Valley wine history by Napa Valley Vintners
1999: Led the effort to replant Charles Krug’s vineyards; following the 10-year effort, now all 850 acres are farmed sustainably
2009: Received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Napa Valley vintners from the California State Fair
2011: Honored by Governor Jerry Brown, along with the legacy of Charles Krug Winery, with a proclamation for his contributions to the wine industry; honored by congress (along with his winery) in the Congressional Record
2014: Reaches age 100
Best. Class. Ever.
School just got cool. In July, Governor Brown signed legislation that makes it legal for students, who are enrolled in winemaking or brewery science programs and at least 18 years old, to taste alcoholic beverages and be exempt from prosecution.
The legislation, meant to aid those enrolled in university, college and trade school programs focused on oenology, viticulture, brewing and hospitality, has been dubbed “sip and spit,” because students are allowed to taste the beverages (for evaluation and learning purposes) but not drink them. Twelve other states, including Oregon, Washington and New York, already have “sip and spit” exemptions for students.
