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 In the old-fashioned, often loathed but still-existent social system in India, a significant number of parents still prefer a male child. They always wish for at least one boy to carry on the family legacy. The practice of female foeticide still carries on in the regressive families. They should perhaps be told about the four female siblings of the famous Mondavi family in Napa Valley, who have set out to prove that they are as good, if not better than boys, by successfully running a family winery independent of the iconic Mondavi name and making their parents proud besides carrying on the family legacy.
If you look at the photograph of the sisters together, you might think they are modeling for a toot-paste commercial-or are emulating Kardashian Sisters or perhaps are members of a rock band called the Mondavi Four or Mondavi Sisters-the modern day female version of the 1960s sensations The Four Tops or the Supremes singing You Keep me Hangin’ on 50 years later (trivia: that album was released in 1966 by Motown and the two groups from Detroit often performed together on TV).
Angelina, Alicia, Riana and Giovanna Mondavi are the four daughters of Marc Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery and his wife Janice, who have no son. The girls have been collectively chosen as honorary chairwomen for the highly prestigious Auction Napa Valley for the 2018 edition. Having four sisters chair the important event is extremely significant. But among many other roles they play in the family wineries and outside, together they are also running an independent boutique winery in Napa Valley- called Dark Matter, where they produce unusual long-aged wines made from their immediate family’s vineyards.
 Under the stewardship of their father, Marc Mondavi, the four sisters launched the wine from 2 acres of their parents’ vineyard in 2012. Each vintage is barrel-aged for four years and bottle-aged for an additional two years prior to release, far longer than most Napa Valley wines. Staying true to the winemaking style of Dark Matter wines, the sisters recently launched a mountain cabernet sauvignon from their parent’s vineyard. Naturally, the wines are priced at the upper end of the market. The zinfandel sells for $100 per bottle and the cabernet $185, in packs of three each.
The Mondavi family is known for strong opinions and disagreements. The spat between the brothers late Robert and Peter Sr. are legendry. But the sisters seem to have overcome that background. “Sometimes we do argue and yell, but then it’s all over, and we move on,” said Alicia, adding that their mother Janice often mediates when they disagree. “We can come to agreement,” says Riana.
“We’re all really passionate about our work, but we realize that we shouldn’t cross over into each other’s work. We’ve learned to respect each other,” said Angelina. The same is true of past problems with the other side of the Mondavi family. “The family drama is behind us,” said Angelina. “We’re a close circle of a family now.”
Aloft, C. Mondavi and Family, the family brand that owns Charles Krug and CK Mondavi as well as CR Cellars and Purple Heart are some of the other family ventures where the sisters are involved in different capacities. All are the fourth generation of Mondavi family in the wine business within the Napa valley. Their great-grandparents were Italian immigrants Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, who bought Charles Krug Winery in 1943. Robert Mondavi and Peter Mondavi Sr were their sons.
Auction Napa Valley is organized by The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) wine trade association every year in May-June to collect funds for charity. To date, the NVV through its auction proceeds has given more than $150 million to Napa County nonprofit organizations. According to the NVV’s most recent Grants Report, Auction Napa Valley helps more than 100,000 clients of Napa County no-profit outfits every year. This year it is being held on June 2-5. For details, visit: http://auctionnapavalley.org
Source: Napa Valley Register
Napa Valley Vintners also organise another auction, Premiere Napa Valley (PNV) every February to raise funds for the needy within the industry. I was invited to attend this memorable event in 2012. For a Report, kindly visit NVV: Indian Duo Sing Wine in Napa Valley -editor |