On what would have been his 98th birthday, I am honored to pay tribute to the man whom, without a doubt, deserves primary credit for establishing California as a world-class wine-producing region and, albeit indirectly, had a significant influence on the California Vintage business model.

For those of you who have spent time at CV, you know we are all about family-owned, limited-production wines which we pair with authentic, seasonal California cuisine to bring out the best in the food, wine, and experience of sharing it all with friends. This approach to wine appreciation is absolutely consistent with the campaign that Mr. Mondavi maintained for the last 5 decades of his life.

In the early years of my career, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work directly with Robert, his family, and his company as they were expanding operations through acquisitions. Beyond the financial credentials I earned, what I gained from Mr. Mondavi's insight on the industry and the tasting experience have shaped the rest of my life in this industry to date.

I cannot say enough about the man, his values, his commitment and his energy, and to that, I raise my glass!