Harvests of Joy: How the Good Life Became Great Business

by Robert Mondavi, Paul Chutkow

The story of one of the world’s greatest wineries is told here by the man who, at the age of fifty-two, revolutionized the wine business and put Napa Valley on the map. An inspiring business book by a master innovator whose goal was to “be the best” and who had the tenacity to achieve it. Photographs.

Genres: Biography, Wine, Nonfiction, Business, Memoir, Food and Drink, History

376 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1998

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Mondavi talks about how he brought his family's sleepy winery into worldwide prominence and transformed the wine industry into what it is today, for better or worse.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robert Mondavi was the most pivotal person in the rise of the California wine industry, and I was curious to hear the story of how he came to be. However, I was distracted more by his ego and inflated sense of himself. I think a book written by a third-party author would do better justice to his story.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read that is almost as much a biography of the Napa Valley and the California Wine Industry as it is of Robert Mondavi and his family.

Mondavi breaks the book into three sections that roughly reflect the growing cycle of grapes. He does so with a lot of humor and (in the last section) a brutal honesty that points out his own failures. Like any good businessman, he turns his failures into ways to succeed. Unfortunately, he did not do this in time to keep his family from fracturing. As time went on, the family healed itself with Mondavi dragging his feet. That's not my opinion, it's a nicer way of saying what he did about himself.

The real draw of the book is the author peeling back the curtain of how Napa Valley went from a quiet farm community to an international gathering point for good wine, food, and the arts. At first fighting him every step of the way, the other vintners and farmers came to see the opportunities and made their home into a place the world comes to for a taste of 'The Good Life'.

Highly recommended for fans of wine, California history and agriculture, and biographies in general.

Find it! Buy it! Read it!

[Jen Ohlman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot - Mondavi’s story is straight-forward and interesting. Yes he can be kind of tone-deaf and sexist but he is a product of his time and isn’t trying to write a how-to business leadership book. He is telling his own story in his own words. Learning about the build up of Napa Valley from nothing, learning more about winemaking and some of the biggest wine alliances today, and hearing about what Mondavi defines as success was enlightening. Take this book for what it is.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The friend who gave me this book observed that it’s a bit self-serving. I agree. I also agree with her comment that, regardless, it gives an interesting history of the Napa Valley. Mondavi’s drive and vision cannot be overlooked as the force that helped advance the American wine industry. As a wine-lover, I enjoyed this read.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having bought this book while visiting Mondavi, I believe 2012, I finally got around to reading it. I wasn't as impressed with the winery when we went as it was too big and touristy. However, I really enjoyed the book. I had no idea he was the pioneer of Napa. It was the right read at the right time.

[Woodsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting how it all started and developed. Shows the importance of focus and hard work.

However while the success has been so great, the ego seems to have got in the way and had a negative on the families life. Looking back I am sure there are major regrets.

[Kerry Shoji · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read by the founder of the Robert Mondavi Winery. A human dynamo who was the right combination of business know-how, insights, wine-making knowledge, marketing and who had the passion and vision to create a superior California wine.

[Akibsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Robert Mondavi's drive is impressive. But his ego overflows what otherwise is a good read. I like the wines better ;)

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite readable work of self-promotion, from the master of marketing himself. Interesting perspectives on the growth of the wine industry in Napa.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, enjoyable read. Mr. Mondavi’s ego gets in the way too much. There’s no doubt he made many great contributions to the California (and beyond) wine industry, for which he should be recognized, appreciated, and lauded. But people got trampled in real life, and their stories trampled in this book. This book isn’t about them, though.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clearly Robert Mondavi can boast one of the greatest American success stories, however his gigantic ego and overuse of exclamation points made this book a real challenge to finish. This book gave some good insight into the California wine industry and background on some famous partnerships with Baron Philippe de Rothschild creating Opus One as well as teaming up with the Frescobaldis. The pages I enjoyed the most came in the last chapter where Bob shared his pearls of wisdom or as he referred to them - the 15 basic components of his philosophy for success. Those pearls seemed genuine and straight from the heart. If you plan on visiting Napa this book would provide some historical insight prior to your trip otherwise I suggest you skip this book and just drink his wine. I had his 2011 Private Selection Chardonnay just yesterday and it was fabulous.

[Yves · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wine business is one where without passion you can rarely be a success, so the story of Mondavi is to track that passion and the way their Italian roots shaped the work ethic of the entire company.

The part when Mondavi purposely broke the mould of the current business to reach for higher qualitative ground is an important lesson. I have seen this many times. The courage to make changes and give up comfortable business in order to do something harder but ultimately better.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned how Robert Mondavi put the Napa Valley on the map in terms of being one of the best wine producing regions in the world. I also learned how relentless hard work led to great successes but also trade-offs when it came to family time and relationships.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good review of Robert Mondavi and his family. Discusses the many aspects of wine in the Napa Valley and his influence on the wine industry. Also explains his relationships with some of the age old families in France............

[Jennifer Molleson]

Im still in the middle and it's been months. I think it is very interesting to learn the history of the Mondavi Family. What disturbs me in reading is Robert's ego and his belittling of his brother. I think I'll hang onto it and maybe picj it up again at a later time.

[Carolyne Borel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting life and good read for an insight on the Californian wine business, yet Mondavi keeps repeating once too many about how great his achievements were. Not really inspirational when it comes to being humble...

[Daryn Nakhuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Mondavi has a very interesting life story, and an amazing impact on the american (and global) wine industry. The lessons learned may be common sense, but the stories told are priceless.

[John Hardesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening and very forthright story of Robert Mondavi's life

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, but tough to get through simply due to the writing style. I felt as if I was reading a 2nd-grade reading level book!

[Christy Eichhols · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read. This guy is so full of himself would steamroll his own mother (which he did) to get ahead!

[Carla Guglielmino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the wine business in the Napa region.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for any Napa Valley residents, or anyone in the wine biz. Sometimes the writing is a bit cheesy and clunky, but still, it's a very inspirational book. :)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book while visting the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley this summer. This really is an interesting read about the evolution of American wine culture.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating, easy read. He seems to take credit for the entire American wine revolution. I wonder what other Napa Valley wine-makers would say...

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story and informative. A bit repetitive and I therefore did not finish.