Has Robert Mondavi Winery been left behind? Constellation Brands, the spirits industry giant that bought Mondavi in 2004 after the family had largely been pushed out of management, believes there is still Mondavi magic to behold, and for several years has been quietly investing in the hopes of turning the iconic brand into the keystone of its luxury wine division.
The problems at Mondavi are not new. "To be honest, Robert Mondavi Winery has stagnated," says Robert Hanson, who heads Constellation's Wine & Spirits division. "We are repairing a decade of atrophy." The bad seeds were planted in Robert's aggressive expansion over the decades as he strove to realize his vision. The need for cash flow led him to create value-priced brands: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and what became Robert Mondavi Private Selection. Those labels were successful and helped along Mondavi's dream of turning Americans on to the idea of wine as a daily pleasure. But they also warped the image of the original Robert Mondavi wines. Even today, a consumer might be confused trying to evaluate a bottle of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from all over California and priced at $12 a bottle versus a Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet made from the To Kalon Vineyard and priced at $225 a bottle.
Constellation executives have said for years that they wish to better differentiate between the three brands. But when the lower-priced wines are bringing in millions of dollars in revenue each year, thanks in part to having the name of an American wine legend on the label, it's hard to walk away. Just three years ago, Constellation launched a series of television ads with an actor playing Robert Mondavi, leading boldly, striding through vineyards in boots and sunglasses, tasting in his cellar, working to make great wine. The ads were for Woodbridge.
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
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Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
