Summer 2024
Strong Roots At Charles Krug, the Mondavi family doesn't take legacy for granted
By Amy Zavatto
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When Peter Mondavi Jr. and his brother Marc were kids, Napa Valley was home to about a dozen wineries. Today, there are more than 500. One of the most celebrated among them is Charles Krug. A stalwart of the Valley since 1861, when it was founded by Prussian immigrant and winemaking pioneer Charles Krug, the winery is Napa’s oldest. And when Peter’s grandparents, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, purchased the 540-acre Krug winery in 1943, it marked the beginning of the family’s remarkable Napa Valley legacy. Now under the third and fourth generations of Mondavi family leadership, the estate is renowned for its outstanding wine, high standards of hospitality, and commitment to arts and culture. Key to its success is the Mondavi family’s resilience and the principles drawn from its loving stewardship of the estate.
“One thing we don’t do here at Charles Krug is engage in knee-jerk reactions. What’s the latest? What’s going on over there? We’re not basing our path on what the latest trend is as so many are fleeting and passing,” says Peter. “We’re focused on the fundamentals and our experience. A lot of that’s driven by our vineyards and the terroir that the vineyards give us.”
Indeed, Charles Krug is renowned for its lineup of stunning wines including its Cabernet Sauvignon and blends and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc. But the family itself is part of that remarkable terroir as well. Legendary winemaker Peter Mondavi Sr. worked until 2015, when he was 100 years old. His sons Peter and Marc have been at the helm of Charles Krug ever since, although their involvement in the family business goes back much further than that. “I think I got my first paycheck when I was eight years old,” laughs Peter.
Their father’s shoes were big ones to fill. Peter Sr. was the winemaker who invented the process of cold fermentation and was the first to employ French oak on California’s storied reds. His influence prepared them to be innovative leaders, an enduring legacy that Peter and Marc have passed on to their own children.
“As a family-owned business, you have to grind and hustle and pivot in ways that large corporations might not have to, or be able to,” says winemaker Angelina Mondavi.
The eldest of Marc’s four daughters, Angelina, was the only one among them and her two cousins who was bit by the bug to study winemaking. Reflecting on the challenges of the last few years, Angelina emphasized the resilience that characterizes Charles Krug: “In trying to read the tea leaves of what would happen next, no one predicted that a pandemic and a fire would all hit at the same time. But we’re coming out stronger than ever.”
While Peter and Marc remain steadfastly at the helm of Charles Krug, each of their children has the title of official ambassador, and some also sit on the board. The family ethos made them incredibly driven high- achievers — there are Stanford, Harvard, and MIT degree-holders among them. They are not required to join the family business, rather, each must work outside Charles Krug before having an opportunity to step back in.
“We have 850 acres, and I’ve been playing on them since I was born. I know those vineyards like the back of my hand.” ~Angelina Mondavi
“Our approach with our kids, because they are shareholders, is for them to first and foremost understand and respect what they have,” Peter says. “With that, we encourage them to get a very good education and to set out on their own, and to work for something or someone else.” Fostering that independence has, perhaps counterintuitively, created strong mutual respect and collaboration among the siblings and cousins, who’ve learned to rely on each other’s strengths. Their approach is focused yet fluid, and they are ready to embrace whatever life throws their way.
“How do my sisters, cousins, and I fill those shoes of the legacy that our great-uncle [Robert], and our grandfather [Peter] established, continuing and forging those paths? There’s a massive weight there because of the last name Mondavi. I have eyes all around me all the time,” says Angelina. “I’m always thinking about what we’re doing and what’s the next step. It can be daunting, but I’ve also learned to kind of erase the background noise and follow my gut. We have 850 acres, and I’ve been playing on them since I was born. I know those vineyards like the back of my hand.”
The dedication to adaptability and resilience has not only shaped the Mondavi family’s approach but also influenced their support for arts and culture. In 2021, amidst the uncertainties brought by the pandemic, Charles Krug emerged as a cultural corner- stone in Napa Valley, becoming home to Festival Napa Valley, in addition to continuing a tradition of hosting films, jazz performances, comedy nights, and culinary events. Like their ancestors before them, the Mondavi family continues to bring together visitors through the dynamic intersection of wine and the arts, cherishing a legacy and values forged over time. They are deeply connected to their remarkable past while steadfastly guiding Charles Krug into the future. “Our family is very passionate! That can be a blessing and a curse,” laughs Angelina. “But we will always keep each other on our tip toes and accountable — and that’s so important.”