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Margrit Mondavi Dies at 91: How the Industry Mourns Her Loss

Mondavi brought the arts to Napa Valley

Margrit and Robert Mondavi
Margrit and Robert Mondavi
Patrick Downs/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Margrit Mondavi, known for bringing the arts to Napa Valley, has died at 91 years old. Mondavi was married to Robert Mondavi, the pioneering winemaker who jumpstarted Napa’s wine industry. Together, the two are credited for leading Napa Valley into the place it is today, with an appreciation for the arts and a firm place in the world’s leading wines. Some of Mondavi’s accomplishments include founding the Robert Mondavi Winery Summer Music Festival and the Napa Valley Wine Auction, restoring the Napa Valley Opera House, and endowing a performing arts center and a wine and food science center to UC Davis.

Here’s how members of the industry are remembering this influential woman:

The French Laundry chef Thomas Keller

The Restaurant at Meadowood director of communications Martina Kostow

It was an honor to have had the opportunity to spend time with this epically amazing woman. #MargritMondavi #RIP #Legend

A photo posted by Martina Kostow (@martinalainu) on

Author of “The New California Wine” Jon Bonne

CBS San Francisco Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem

Dining Around podcast host Joel Riddell