May 13 2010
Sunday, May 16th marks the 2nd anniversary of Robert Mondavi’s passing.
Last year, in memorial to Mondavi and his legacy (and cleared by the Robert Mondavi Winery brand stewards), I started the unofficially official “Robert Mondavi Day” to mark the anniversary of his passing, and, more importantly, his everlasting contributions to the California wine industry and, to a large extent, the domestic wine business as we know it.
I have a deep and profound respect for Mondavi’s leadership, vision and indefatigable nature in raising the 1960s California wine industry up by its bootstraps through the dint of hard work and moxie, something I’ve written about a number of times and retrievable by searching “Robert Mondavi” on this site.

In paying homage, however humbly, I hope to keep his spirit alive on the internets, especially as a new generation of wine drinkers come online, long on passion and short on historical wine perspective.
A year ago, we had a communal celebration with the theme, “California Inspiration” for Wine Blogging Wednesday. This year, I’ve partnered with wine accessory company True Fabrications for a prize package offering ($150 value w/ free shipping)!
What better way to celebrate the Godfather of California wine than by offering a prize package that celebrates wine enthusiasm?
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Special thanks, of course, go to True Fabrications for their generosity in sponsorship. Started in 2004 by three college buddies and a little friends and family seed money, the company set out to create custom wine bags for wholesale. Mission accomplished as their designs can be found in wine shops and other retail outlets across the country. They also have a consumer ecommerce site with a well-curated selection of wine enthusiast essentials. Check them out, it’s hard not to like a small company of young entrepreneurs who pride themselves on sublime customer service while offering everything a wine lover needs(except the wine).
Here are the details for the prize package:
• Enter by leaving a comment on this blog post answering the very simple question, “What is your favorite California wine, varietal or winery?”
• There is no right answer to the prize question. A winner will be selected by a random number generator based on the number of total comments. Therefore, if the first commenter says, “Zinfandel” and the 91st commenter says, “Ridge Zinfandel” both commenter’s have an equal chance of winning based on random number selection. Only one comment per person, please.
• Entries are open from the time of posting until Midnight on Saturday, May 15th EST
• The prize package offering has a $150 value and shipping is fully paid. I will contact the winner for their mailing address based on the email they leave in the comment field. If I cannot reach that person by the end of the day Tuesday, May 18th, I will select another winner.
• Finally, a lot of people read this site. Very few people leave a comment. For all of the lurkers, this is your chance to say hello and win a fabulous prize package. And, most importantly, hoist a glass of California wine to your lips this weekend and pause to thank a man who saw the possibilities for California wine on the world stage.
The prize package (each item was hand selected by me and the total offering is worth $150 + free shipping and handling) includes:
• 4 Duet wine tasting glasses
• 1 display quality bell corkscrew
• VacuVin pump kit and two stoppers
• Two extra VacuVin stoppers
• 1 can Private Preserve wine preserver
• 1 Soiree wine aerator
• A deluxe cheese board and knife set
• 1 Red wine “Wine Away” wine stain removal kit
• 2 bottles of SanTasti wine palate cleanser
• 1 tin of Wine Wipes
* Update* Friend of the site Neil Monnens, Publisher of Wine Blue Book, will also include a free 1 year subscription to Wine Blue Book. As a paid subscriber to WBB, I can attest that it’s a great value and resource for navigating the world of wine and the myriad of choices related to wine scores! WBB distills the scores into those with the highest Quality-to-Price Ratio (QPR).
Thanks for entering and thanks for celebrating Robert Mondavi Day with me ... now, go leave a comment!
Posted in, Good Grape Daily: Pomace & Lees. Permalink | Comments (35) |
I wasn’t going to leave a comment because I don’t know much about wine and don’t want to look stupid. But I was searching for Robert Mondavi on Twitter and found this post. I really like Mondavi wines. So that’s my answer.
This might be the hardest question to ever ask a wino!
But I’ll always go back to my first true California wine love, and that’s Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley. It hooked me on red wine for life.
PETITE SIRAH. Just awesome stuff, and also the best bang for your buck in the wine world.
A couple of years ago I would have said that my favorite winery was Mendocino’s Christine Woods, but the owners retired and sold the property to another winery (Harmonique).
So now, my favorite winery is Husch, also of Mendocino (notice a trend?). Wonderful wines, beautiful tasting room, and really nice folks to boot!
John
Central Coast Syrah
Hmmm, my political response would be “all of them.” However, if I had to choose, it would probably be Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 06. It’s a massive cab, and at $75, I think it’s the best value play of anything sporting the To Kalon name.
I have a soft spot for California Pinot Noir
Jeff - great promotion and what an awesome idea to celebrate a legacy!
The most memorable California wine I’ve had of late is a Napa Penche Winery Cab…
My all time favorite stand by California wine is a Seghesio Zinfandel
cheers
Josh
Any wine by Sean Thackrey, though especially his Pleiades. Just such a unique wine, from a very unique wine maker.
To me, the winery and winemaker who most embody the current spirit of California wine… and therefore are my “favorite,” at least for now… are Bonny Doon Vineyards and their honcho, Randall Grahm.
Lured out of lurking: Hello.
Favourite CA outfit, guess I’ll say Bonny Doon.
Almost any wine from the Bien Nacido vineyards. I have tasted many chards and pinots noir from BN and have truly enjoyed them all, regardless of the personal stamp placed upon the grapes by the winemaker. The one that most stands out in my mind was a bottle shared with the winemaker, his lovely wife and my family of a Brandborg Pinot Noir made from BN grapes in 1982. We opened it in Oct. of 2008 and it was one of those lightbulb moments for many at the table, that a pinot could have aged so beautifully for 16 years and then taste so vibrant and complex.
Absolutely love Duckhorn winery in Napa. Wish I could have it bought for me every time like the first time I had it
I love Alexander Valley Cabernets.
Cheers to a great legacy that Mr. Mondavi left California with!
Rest in Peace.
Cheers,
Brian
http://norcalwingman.com
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Hmmm, only 1 trip to CA to see & taste. Based on an n of 1, my favorite winery of the trip was Santa Cruz Mountains Vineyard for what they are doing with varietals commonly found in the US, but also the emphasis on wines typical of Spain & Portugal.
I love Lava Cap Zinfandel
What can I say? I’m partial to Mumm Napa and their Santana DVX.
A very tough question indeed for a wine lovers… so many favorites…
I’ll not commit and say both Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley as well as Napa Cabernet (mountain fruit, preferably)
I’d have to say that my favorite Cali grape is Merlot. That’s what first pulled me into wine, so I have to go with that.
Favorite winery? Foxen
Well…. I have to say a great Cabernet Sauvignon is my absolute favorite. Now the hard part. There are some many I really like. At least for today I will say Miner Oakville Cab is my favorite.
I like wines produced in Mendocino.
To Robert M. ‘Sante’
and to the best value and winery; Dry Creek Fume Blanc.
I would have to say Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Melissa from La Crema has the best of all.
Chris
Stardust Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley
Castle Rock Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley
I love a good Merlot, and my favorite winery is any red wine coming from Wine Shop At Home in Napa Valley.
I found your message about the contest on LinkedIn; thanks for letting us know!
Pinot from the true Sonoma Coast. Cheers to RM. He funded my education at UC Davis!
Thanks to all of the entrants. I’ll have a blog post up tonight officially announcing the winner, but based on random number selection, comment #23 was the winner—commenter Ranndy Kellogg.
Should I not be able to get ahold of Ranndy by the end of the day on Tuesday, May 18th, I will again do random number selection for an alternate winner.
Thanks to everybody for participating and please open up a bottle of California wine and celebrate Robert Mondavi Day!
Jeff
paso robles syrah
Favorite wine is Ravenswood Vineyard designate Barricia Zinfandel with its palate of Blackberry and spice!
My go-to (and so I guess favorite) wine is any big red Tobin James from Paso Robles. Fun wine, fun place!
ll of the entrants. I’ll have a blog post up tonight officially announcing the winner, but based on random number selection, comment #23 was the winner—commenter Ranndy Kellog
I absolutely love California Fume Blanc!