Those who knew Robert Mondavi say his generosity was a theme throughout his life. Not only how he shared his fortune, but his vision, his knowledge, his optimism and enthusiasm.

“I never met anyone who was so generous with his competition,” said Vic Motto, of Global Wine Partners, who described Mondavi as a “legendary, tireless promoter of the Napa Valley.”

“His generosity is shown in how many people he helped,” said Motto. “He created a culture of sharing in the valley that continues to this day of helping new people in the industry.”

Several prominent winemakers got their starts at Mondavi, and the industry has been heavily influenced by everything from vineyard practices to marketing techniques first effectively employed at Robert Mondavi Winery. Vintner Mike Grgich, a legend in his own right, who celebrated the 30th anniversary of his own Grgich Hills winery last year, was a young aspiring winemaker from Croatia when he met Mondavi.

“He had just opened his winery and it was a miracle. He was so full of energy and innovation, I got an itch to go to work for him. He waited to talk to me on a wooden bench and he said to me, ‘If you go to work for me, I will make you a little Tchelistcheff,” Grgich said, referring to Andre Tchelistcheff, the Russian winemaker who helped revive the wine industry in the valley after Prohibition.

When Grgich launched his own winery in 1977, Mondavi helped him as well. “I broke ground on July 4, I had bought 60 tons of grapes. When I realized I would not be ready for the crush I went to him and asked if I could crush my grapes at his winery. He said yes, but then he told me, ‘I broke ground on July 17 and I was ready for crush.’ He was quite a guy and an inspiration to me, always saying you can do better.”

Philanthropy

Even as his winery was still a new enterprise, the Mondavi spirit of giving back to the community was taking shape. In 1969 Robert and Margrit Mondavi founded the Summer Music Festival, which today continues to support both the Napa Valley Symphony and the music programs at Napa public schools.

He was also a leading force in founding the Napa Valley Wine Auction (now Auction Napa Valley) in 1981, which has since given back $78 million to non-profits in Napa Valley and has become the model for charity wine auctions.

The Oxbow School, an arts-based high school program in Napa, the renovated Lincoln Theater Napa Valley, and the historic Napa Valley Opera House, saved from a wrecking ball, all were recipients of Mondavi support. Bill Kieschnick, who turned to Mondavi for help as he led the capital campaign to restore the Napa Valley Opera House, said simply, “He was there for us at the right time.”

It was the Mondavi $20 million bequest that launched Copia, the American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts, when Napa was still the town overlooked by visitors on their way to the wineries. Copia, which opened in 2001, dramatically opened the door to the development of the city of Napa as tourist destination on its own.

While the facility has struggled financially, it has also gained a foothold with food and wine events, restaurants, concerts, films and more. The recent commercial awakening of the Oxbow District likely would not be taking place without Copia’s presence.

VIntner Garen Staglin is another founding supporter of Copia.

Mondavi, he said, “was such an inspirational man, with such vigor, we thought he was going on forever. Bob transcended just wine. Copia was an embodiment of his vision of food, wine and arts.”

“The breadth of what he gave us is amazing,” Staglin said “The Opera House, Copia, UC Davis. He was tireless.”

Mondavi also gave back to his alma mater, Stanford University, in the form of support for the Cantor Art Center, which houses 19th century European and American art.

Tom Seligman, the director of the center, who is also a long-time friend of Robert and Margrit Mondavi, said, “He had a passion for wine and culture and all it meant. His generosity was a huge part of what he was.”

Robert and Margrit’s largest single bequest was to UC Davis, where a $35 million donation helped to create both the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 2001, and the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine Science, a state-of-the-art teaching and research complex, scheduled to open in October. Their gift is the largest private contribution in UC Davis history.

In an interview at the university when the gift was announced Mondavi said, “I didn’t go to (UC Davis), but I read their books. My bible was (Prof. Maynard) Amerine’s ‘Principles and Practice of Winemaking.’ I learned to make wine only because I followed that book so religiously.”

On Friday, UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef said, “Bob has demonstrated that innovation and excellence are worthy and reachable goals, that universities are deserving of investment, that the sciences and the arts are essential and compatible companions, and that each of us — no matter our calling in life — is capable of and responsible for creating a legacy. There is no doubt his legacy is substantial and enduring.”

Calling Mondavi “a lifelong friend of UC Davis” Andrew Waterhouse, chair of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, said, “We have had the honor to be associated with him, and we appreciate his strong support for public education. In support of his vision for excellence, he created the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, a bequest that has taken our programs fully into the 21st century. It is a living tribute to his foresight and generosity. Our contacts with Margrit, and his children and grandchildren will sustain his friendship and vision into the future.”