Vintner. An icon in the wine industry, after helping his family build a successful winery in California, formerly the Charles Krug vineyard, he was ousted by his brother in 1965. The following year at age 52 he established his own vineyard and brand, Robert Mondavi Winery, in the Napa Valley town of Oakville with the purchase of the To Kalon vineyard originally established in 1868 by H.W. Crabb. There he successfully developed a number of premium wines that culminated with the Grand European Jury Wine Tasting of 1997 selecting his Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Reserve and ranking it number one. Rising competition in the industry resulted in company being bought out for $1.3 billion in 2004. After retiring from winemaking, he traveled the world well into his 90s promoting the cultural, social and health benefits of wine — California wines. Inducted into both the national Vintners Hall of Fame and the California State Hall of Fame in 2007. Died in Yountville, California. (bio by: Fred Beisser)  Family links:  Parents:  Cesare Mondavi (1883 – 1959)  Rosa Grassi Mondavi (1890 – 1976)  Siblings:  Mary L Mondavi Westbrook (1910 – 2004)*  Helen Mondavi Ventura (1912 – 2003)*  Robert Gerald Mondavi (1913 – 2008)  Peter Rudolph Mondavi (1914 – 2016)* *Calculated relationship