He’s been called trailblazer, visionary and icon.

Many claim he showed them the way, that he guided them in both choice and application of career.

Those who worked with him maintain his eye was always on the prize, that he inspired them in his quest for the best. Vintner Bob Pecota even labeled him “my hero.”

Robert Mondavi died last month, a month short of his 95th birthday. On the occasion of that birthday this past Wednesday, the winery he founded in 1966 hosted family, friends, employees past and present, fellow vintners, industry leaders, legislators and many others whose lives he touched.

The celebration of Bob Mondavi’s life attracted hundreds to the winery where he so often shared his wines and broke bread with locals and visitors. They came to share stories about the industry’s standard-bearer, to drink a toast, to sample the fare a dozen local chefs provided for the occasion.

Christopher Barefoot, estate manager at Robert Mondavi Winery, informed those present that both Congress and the California Legislature had passed resolutions honoring the legendary vintner. He invited a number of attendees to tell the crowd how they were “touched and inspired” by Bob Mondavi.

“Meeting Robert Mondavi was like encountering a force of nature,” declared Jose Fernandez, CEO of Constellation Wines North America, who recounted a meeting in 1981 with “larger-than-life” vintner Mondavi standing atop wine barrels at the Oakville winery, addressing a contingent of industry executives.

Fernandez noted that Mondavi’s goals were to bring quality wine to the American table and to show the world that Napa Valley could produce wine that belonged in the company of the finest wines in the world.

“One would have been a major accomplishment, but he did both,” said Fernandez. “Our commitment is to carry on his vision.”

“Robert Mondavi saw two dreams come true,” added Ray Herman, a distributor of Mondavi wines. “American people accepted wine as part of the good life and California and Napa Valley (were) recognized for producing some of the great wines of the world.”

Herman said his own dream is to drive up Highway 29 in the not-too-distant future and find a cast bronze image of Robert Mondavi welcoming visitors. He called for the plaque on that image to read: “Robert Mondavi, patron saint of Napa Valley.”

Speaking for the culinary community, Richard Reddington, chef and owner of Yountville’s Redd, said “it was always a pleasure to have him in your restaurant, with Margrit and (their dog) Luce.” He admitted that he was “really scared” the first time he cooked for Mondavi, yet noted how that fright turned to admiration following the meal when his guest took a genuine interest in his efforts.

Reddington shared a memory about snorkeling with Mondavi and his grandsons in Hawaii when the vintner was 90 years old.

And he teared up recalling an evening when the friendly vintner dined at Redd. “He asked to be brought into the kitchen so he could shake hands with every dishwasher,” Reddington remembered. “And he told each of them they were doing a great job.”

Reddington’s recollection was typical of talk on the winery lawn Wednesday night, about how Mondavi had touched so many lives, across all walks of life.

“You paved the way,” declared Glenn Workman, general manager at Robert Mondavi Winery. “It’s up to us to take it from here.”

Mondavi’s daughter, Marcia, reminded all how her father “had the ability to egg us on, to do better ... we were all a family. When I would return to the Napa Valley from New York, you could feel the pulse here — you could feel everyone’s desire to excel. Thanks to all of you who make it happen.”

Noting it was a bittersweet occasion, son Tim Mondavi said his father “shared his secrets and successes with the purpose of making wine better for everyone.”

Fighting back tears, Tim offered the evening’s official toast to his father: “Thank you for all you have done for us as a family and as a community.”

Prior to the toast, Tim noted that his father’s “spirit continues to live in each of us.”

That was clearly evident, advised Margrit Mondavi, when during the recent Auction Napa Valley an unknown individual slipped a scrap of paper into her hand, saying only “This is for Bob.” Absorbed in the proceedings, Margrit tucked the paper into her purse and just the other day remembered it was there.

She opened the paper to discover it was a check for $10,000, made out to the Napa Valley Symphony.

“You see,” she said, “Bob’s spirit does live on.”