As young dancers from Calistoga performed Mexican dances on a stage set on the lawn at Robert Mondavi Winery Saturday, Hans and Christine Sachenbacher sipped wine, watched the dancers and took pictures.

The German tourists were among the hundreds of visitors who stopped by the Oakville winery for a public tribute to Robert Mondavi, where visitors were welcomed with free wine and New Orleans-style hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

The legendary vintner, widely credited for placing California wines on the map and famous for his joie de vivre, died May 16 at home. He was 94.

“We just drove up here and we saw the winery in our travel guide, but we didn’t know there was this great event,” said Hans Sachenbacher, 39, an engineer for BMW in Munich.

“I think it’s a very good way to say good-bye to the people,” he added after dancers from La Casa de la Cultura of Calistoga, 3 to 5 years old, finished their performance and left the stage.

As people milled about the Mission-style winery her husband opened in 1966, sipping on wine and nibbling on New Orleans-style hors d’oeuvres, Margrit Biever Mondavi greeted visitors and cheered on the performers during the three-hour event. Preservation Hall Jazz  Band was scheduled to perform Saturday evening at the winery for the 38th time.

“We’re celebrating Bob’s life as he would have liked it,” Biever Mondavi said.

Other performers Saturday included Napa pianist Faranak Shahrooz, who played her own compositions, the Napa Valley Symphony, the Napa High Jazz Band under the direction of Harry Cadelago, and 14-year-old pianist Conrad Tao, a student at Juilliard, who played two Rachmaninoff pieces.

Stephen Ashton, founder and director of the Wine Country Film Festival, praised Mondavi’s dedication to wine, arts and culture, including his festival.

“He was one of a kind,” he said.

The wines, finger sandwiches, salads and desserts were offered free to all Saturday, the first of a two-day tribute to Robert Mondavi at the winery, a Constellation Brands Inc. property since 2004.

Caterer Elaine Bell said she planned to serve 1,500 people.

Among the visitors were Michael and Susan Shifflett, who rode down to Oakville from their St. Helena home to enjoy the day and pay their respects.

“It’s perfect,” Susan Shifflett, 53, said near the Vineyard Room, where visitors signed a memorial book, read tributes from dignitaries including President Bush and watched a film on Robert Mondavi’s life.

Nandita and Triguna Israel of Yuma, Ariz. came to tour the winery with their two daughters, Natasha, 8, and Anoushka, 4.

While the tours were canceled, the Israels said they enjoyed the tribute.

“This is my favorite winery,” said Triguna Israel, 40. “Actually, this is better than the tour,” he added.

Valerie and Ross Clark of Victoria, Canada, found out about the event on Friday.

The Clarks, who own a family-style restaurant and a pub in Canada, said they appreciated the food and the atmosphere.

It’s a good opportunity for people from all walks of life to taste food, said Ross Clark, 52, near a table where servers offered andouille stuffed tomatoes.

As she watched the stage, Ming Campos smiled.

Campos, 57, came from San Jose to the Napa Valley for one day with her husband, Ernie, to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary.

Campos, who recently completed a round of chemotherapy, said she loved the event.

“It’s very enhancing,” she said. “It adds life.”