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The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series 2018

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The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series 2018 – 49th Year

The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series is one of the great summer traditions in the Napa Valley. Check your travel calendar and purchase your tickets as soon as you can. The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series takes place on five consecutive Saturday evenings beginning June 30 through July 28. Tickets are on sale as of April 10.

“The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series began in 1969 when Mrs. Mondavi’s passion for the arts was put on the big stage. In its 49-year history, the series has raised millions of dollars to support a number of Napa Valley-based charitable music organizations. In keeping with this tradition, Robert Mondavi Winery will donate proceeds from this year’s ticket sales to the Napa Valley Unified School District’s music programs.” 

For additional information and to purchase tickets, including General Admission, Reserve Patio, and Dinner in To Kalon Vineyard, visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com or universe.com. For additional inquiries please contact concerts@robertmondaviwinery.com.

Robert Mondavi concert series

 

Robert Mondavi and Presqu’ile Winery summer concerts

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Robert Mondavi Winery summer concerts

Robert Mondavi Winery Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Summer Concerts in Wine Country – Robert Mondavi and Presqu’ile Winery

Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series

Robert Mondavi Winery has confirmed that indie rock group American Authors, Grammy Award-winning group Blues Traveler, singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and American rock band O.A.R. will hit the stage this summer for its popular 2016 Summer Concert Series. Tickets are on sale now for the series of wine, food and music events that are the highlight of summer in the Napa Valley.

This year’s concert series takes place during a notably momentous year for Robert Mondavi Winery as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary milestone. The 2016 concert schedule has the Brooklyn-based American Authors opening the series on July 2, the blues, soul, psychedelic-rock band Blues Traveler performing on July 9, with Ingrid Michaelson bringing her indie-pop songs to the stage on July 23. Known for their vibrant stage presence, O.A.R. will close the series on July 30 with a bang.

In addition to the musical performances, food trucks and local restaurants will make their way to the winery to add to the lively atmosphere of each concert. Participating food vendors include: Ring of Fire, Villa Corona, Cousins Lobster, Dabba, Marks the Spot and Bruschetteria. The vendor lineup will vary slightly from concert to concert.

Over the last 47 years, more than $2 million has been raised to support a number of Napa Valley-based charitable organizations as a result of the Robert Mondavi Winery Summer Concert Series. Proceeds from ticket sales this year will directly benefit Napa Valley music programs to carry on this tradition.

Robert Mondavi Winery 2016 Summer Concert Series Tickets Now On Sale
Musical acts include American Authors, Blues Traveler, Ingrid Michaelson and O.A.R.

Presqu’ile Winery Summer Concert Series Presents: The Molly Ringwald Project

Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria is pleased to welcome The Molly Ringwald Project to the Presqu’ile Amphitheater on Saturday, May 7th. The Central Coast’s premier party band, The Molly Ringwald Project channels the best of the ’80s, vividly bringing the decade of angular haircuts and Hammer pants back to life (Molly Ringwald herself, not included). Bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to rock out in the Presqu’ile Amphitheater, Santa Maria’s place to be this summer! Regionally inspired, seasonal food will be available from BBQ in the Stix and Crush Catering. While Presqu’ile has abundant seating in its beautiful amphitheater, please feel free to bring your own chairs, blankets, etc. Presqu’ile Winery has a full summer concert series. Upcoming shows include:

  • June 25th – Reverend Tall Tree with Tepusquet Tornadoes
  • July 23rd – Unfinished Business
  • August 6th – The Ruben Lee Dalton Band
  • September 3rd – The Molly Ringwald Project
  • September 17th – Grammy-Winning SURPRISE GUEST

Complete ticket and concert information

50 years of Robert Mondavi Winery

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Robert Mondavi Winery

Celebrating 50 years of the Robert Mondavi Winery

50 years of Robert Mondavi Winery in the Napa Valley

It all began in 1966 when Robert Mondavi established his winery in Oakville on Highway 29. I remember reading the San Francisco Sunday Examiner magazine about the new winery and viewing the cover photo of this beautiful mission-style winery.  We visited the winery shortly after it opened and have been visiting the winery on a regular basis ever since.  The Robert Mondavi Winery is a reminder of the influence that Robert Mondavi had on the Napa Valley. His legacy lives on throughout the Napa Valley and the world of wine. Back in the day, the Napa Valley was very quiet, with few wineries and few visitors. The food scene was meager. Today, of course, that has all changed, and much of that has to do with Robert Mondavi. If you have not been to the Robert Mondavi winery, you owe it to yourself to visit and walk in the footsteps of one of the great men of wine and humanity.  The Robert Mondavi Winery is open daily from 10am to 5 pm. The winery has introduced a special wine commemorating the 50th year of the winery. It is called the Maestro.

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Where does the tourist go in Napa Valley?

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Where to tourists go in the Napa Valley

Robert Mondavi is one of Napa Valley’s most popular wineries

Where does the tourist go in Napa Valley?

Quick tips on avoiding the tourist crowds in the Napa Valley

Spring is almost here. You would not know this by the high 70-degree temperatures in the Napa Valley these past February and March weeks. The tourist is back in full force in the Napa Valley. Tourism brings in more than five million visitors per year to the Napa Valley. The savvy and veteran tourist to the Napa Valley is anxious to avoid the crowds that flock to the tasting rooms and clog the highways. Find out where the tourist goes in the Napa Valley and avoid those spots. The Robert Mondavi Winery, featured in our Wine Country Photo of the Day, is one of Napa Valley’s most popular wineries. On weekends the parking lot is jammed, and the tasting rooms are as busy as can be. Robert Mondavi and many other popular wineries are along Highway 29 between Yountville and St. Helena.

Tips for avoiding the crowds

Avoid Highway 29 altogether and fast track over to the Silverado Trail.  Head up the Silverado Trail north to the Deer Park Road. Cross over Deer Park to Highway 29 and visit wineries between St. Helena and Calistoga. Along this stretch we like St. Clement, Ballentine, Madrigal Family Winery and Markham.

Traveling to Calistoga, we have the wineries on our Calistoga Wine Trail that are all small, fun, and not so crowded. These wineries are just north of Calistoga.

Hidden Wine Trail: These are some wineries scattered throughout the Napa Valley that are off the beaten path or, for some reason, bypassed by tourists. Pick a couple to visit. They are usually open by appointment only, so reserve your spot in the tasting room. Wineries by appointment are obviously less touristy.

Iconic Robert Mondavi Winery

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Robert-Mondavi-Winery

The iconic Robert Mondavi Winery

It was in the mid 1960’s that the legendary Robert Mondavi founded his winery on Highway 29 in the Oakville area of the Napa Valley. Only a handful of wineries were in the Valley at that time. Hardly anyone outside Northern California knew about the wines of the Napa Valley. Everything changed once the Robert Mondavi Winery was established. Robert Mondavi was the single most important individual responsible for Napa Valley becoming one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Through Robert’s influence, the Napa Valley became a mecca for food and wine. The winery is an icon on Highway 29 and now stands as a tribute to the man. It attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. In this photo taken in January several years ago, we see the beauty of the winery as it sits in front of the Mayacamus Mountains. Robert Mondavi passed away a few years ago, and the winery is now owned by Constellation Brands. I like to visit Mondavi at least once or twice during the year.  I like to take a few moments to just walk around and contemplate what this winery means to the Napa Valley and the world of wine.

 

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Grgich Hills and Robert Mondavi 2013 Blessing of the Grapes

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Mike Grgich savors Fume Blanc

Mike Grgich savors Fume Blanc to toast the harvest

What a wonderful experience to witness this annual tradition at two Napa Valley wineries this last Friday, August 30th. The blessing of the grapes is a tradition at both Grgich Hills (37th year) and at Robert Mondavi (48th year). Father Gordon Kalil from St. Helena’s Catholic Church gave the blessing at both ceremonies.

We had the opportunity to be at Grgich Hills at 10:00 for the blessing of the grapes and later at 11:30 for the blessing at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Two ageless legends of the famed Napa Valley were on hand to welcome visitors, staff and members of the media.

Blessing of the Grapes at Grgich Hills

At age 90, Mike Grgich may be slowing down a bit physically but his delivery of words is inspirational. In this short video, Mike Grgich gives us his words of wisdom about the Napa Valley and his Grgich Hills wines.

Blessing of the Grapes at Robert Mondavi

Still lively and energetic, Margrit Mondavi is the face of the Robert Mondavi winery. She is charismatic and always a great ambassador for the wines and foods of the Napa Valley. We also heard from winemaker Genevieve Jennsens. But it is really Margrit who garners all the attention. In her comments, she made mention that when we sip our Fumé Blanc at lunch the spirit of Robert Mondavi is in that glass of wine. His influence stills rings forth at the winery and throughout the Napa Valley. On a lighter note she quips on the health aspects of wine: “There are more old winemakers than there are old doctors.”

Following the blessing of the grapes, the invited guests were treated to a wonderful lunch. Even more meaningful is that each member of the staff at Robert Mondavi was also in attendance at the luncheon. It’s a magical scene to sit and look out onto the famed To Kalon Vineyards at Robert Mondavi.

Genevieve and Margrit

Genevieve and Margrit

The 2013 Harvest

Interestingly enough, we heard a contrasting view of the 2013 harvest from the winemakers at Grgich Hills and Robert Mondavi.

At Grgich Hill, assistant winemaker Ivo Jaramez says that this year’s harvest may even be better than the 2012 harvest. On the other hand Genevieve Jennsens, winemaker at Robert Mondavi, indicates that the harvest for Mondavi may be a challenge; the early harvest requires more attention to the winemaking process. Still, she is optimistic and is looking forward to rest of the 2013 harvest.

With the blessing of the grapes, we hope that both wineries have a very successful year throughout the 2013 harvest.

Father Gordon

Father Gordon

Robert Mondavi 2012 Blessing of the Grapes

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Margrit Mondavi

Margrit Mondavi

What an exciting time to be in Napa Valley wine country when the grapes are harvested and brought into the winery to be made into wine. Even more exciting is to be at the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery for the Blessing of the Grapes, a tradition started in 1966 by Robert Mondavi.

We were fortunate to be invited to the 2012 Blessing of the Grapes held on Monday, September 17, in the To Kalon Cellar of the Mondavi winery. To Kolan Cellar is a beautiful facility and one that echoes the memories of the great Robert Mondavi. The introductions were made by Margrit Mondavi, a gracious lady, so caring and gregarious. Winemaker Genevieve Janssens spoke about the outlook for this year’s harvest. After two previous difficult harvests, she is thankful that 2012 promises to be an outstanding vintage.

Invited guests and most of the employees of the winery were on hand as father Ramon Pons blessed the first batch of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. About 50 small bins were blessed, sorted, and sent to the fermenting bin. Afterwards, the entire staff of the Mondavi winery and the invited guests were treated to a delightful Mexican buffet that was paired with Fume Blanc and Merlot wines.

A short video of the ceremony

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