No single man created the prosperity of the Napa Valley as it blossomed in the last four decades into the most famous wine-growing region in the United States — one of the most respected in the world, still a vast farmer’s field on the edge of the metropolis but also a luxurious playland for wealthy visitors.

Yet one man deserves the lion’s share of the credit: Robert Mondavi. His passing Thursday at age 94 truly marks the end of an era.

That era began in earnest in 1966, when he broke from his family and built the first new Napa Valley winery since Prohibition. Other wineries, considered top-flight and venerable names today, were launched shortly thereafter, nearly doubling the number of operating Napa Valley wineries.

Today, Napa County is home to roughly 400 wineries, a number that would have seemed fantastic to Mondavi had you asked him 30 years ago, as he stood atop a stack of barrels at his Oakville winery, lecturing his workers on the magic of wine, the good life, their own potential and the potential of the grapes they grew.

Today these wineries are the economic engine of the valley and a multi-billion dollar premium wine industry, employing tens of thousands and generating demand for related businesses and services. The valley would be a far different place today if not for Robert Mondavi Winery.

Mondavi also influenced the culinary transformation that has taken place in Napa Valley, California and the country. His integration of famous French and American chefs into his winery programs help lay the groundwork for restaurants from Domaine Chandon to French Laundry and on to later entries including Celadon. His ideas on the pairing of fine wine and fine food have changed the way we eat and drink.

His role in local politics was relatively slight. His was not the invisible hand behind the 1968 creation of the Agricultural Preserve, though he supported it.

Mondavi’s presence was felt more in the philanthropic world. A large performing arts center at UC Davis bears his name, and his donations will help build a new home for that school’s renowned viticultural program. He and his widow, Margrit, have been at the center of the renovation of the Napa Valley Opera House and their support for the arts of all sorts is well known.

He co-founded Auction Napa Valley, which has grown into a monumental charitable event, sending in excess of $5 million to local agencies every single year. Other acts of generosity are too numerous to mention.

As with anyone of his stature, Mondavi drew controversy, and experienced public highs and lows with a family lawsuit in the 1970s, the sale of his winery in 2004 and more.

On a personal level, Mondavi generated fierce loyalty from family, friends and employees.

Around the valley, he influenced many other vintners.

On the world stage, Robert Mondavi was a figure who symbolized fine wine, California sunshine, romance, spirit.

The Napa Valley he leaves behind is not the same as the one he entered as a young man. The valley and the wine industry will not be the same without him.

Robert Mondavi was a great man, a larger-than-life figure whose legacy will not soon be forgotten in this narrow valley nor around the world.