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The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty
An epic, scandal-plagued story of the immigrant family that built—and then spectacularly lost—a global wine empire Set in California’s lush Napa Valley and spanning four generations of a talented and visionary family, The House of Mondavi is a tale of genius, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. From 1906, when Italian immigrant Cesare Mondavi passed through Ellis Island, to the Robert Mondavi Corp.’s twenty-first-century battle over a billion-dollar fortune, award-winning journalist Julia Flynn brings to life both the place and the people in this riveting family drama. The blood feuds are as spectacular as the business triumphs. Cesare’s sons, Robert and Peter, literally came to blows in the 1960s during a dispute touched off by the purchase of a mink coat, resulting in Robert’s exile from the family—and his subsequent founding of a winery that would set off a revolution in American winemaking. Robert’s sons, Michael and Timothy, as passionate in their own ways as their visionary father, waged battle with each other for control of the company before Michael’s expansive ambitions ultimately led to a board coup and the sale of the business to an international conglomerate. A meticulously reported narrative based on thousands of hours of interviews, The House of Mondavi is bound to become a classic.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
150 people are currently reading
1717 people want to read
About the author
Julia Flynn Siler
10 books69 followersJulia Flynn Siler is a New York Times best-selling author and journalist. Her new book, The White Devil’s Daughters: The Fight Against Slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown, will be published by Alfred A. Knopf in May of 2019. Her most recent book is Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America’s First Imperial Adventure. Her first book was the The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty.
As a veteran correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek magazine, Ms. Siler spent more than two decades in the Europe and the United States, reporting from a dozen countries on topics as varied as biotechnology, cult wines, puppy breeding, and a princess’s quest to restore a Hawaiian palace’s lost treasures. Her stories and reviews have also appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Oxford Encyclopedia on Food and Drink in America.
A front page story for the Wall Street Journal led to her book The House of Mondavi, which involved more than 500 hours of interviews and examination of tens of thousands of pages of documents. Published by Penguin's Gotham Books in 2007, The House of Mondavi was honored as a finalist both for a James Beard Award and a Gerald Loeb Award for distinguished reporting and is now in its eleventh printing.
Her critically-acclaimed second book, Lost Kingdom, was also a New York Times bestseller.
In August of 2016, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Ms. Flynn Siler a “Public Scholar” grant for 2016-2017 to support her latest project, The White Devil’s Daughters.
In June of 2017, the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism announced that Ms. Siler had been awarded a Mayborn Fellowship in Biography to support the book. She was also named a Logan Nonfiction Fellow at the Carey Institute for Greater Good, where she spent the fall of 2017 completing her manuscript.
Ms. Siler is a longtime member of the San Francisco-based writing group North 24th Writers, whose members have published fourteen nonfiction books as well as hundreds of articles and essays in major magazines, newspapers and literary journals. She is also a member of the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto. She has taught journalism at the University of London’s Birkbeck college and led nonfiction workshops at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley.
As a veteran correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek magazine, Ms. Siler spent more than two decades in the Europe and the United States, reporting from a dozen countries on topics as varied as biotechnology, cult wines, puppy breeding, and a princess’s quest to restore a Hawaiian palace’s lost treasures. Her stories and reviews have also appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Oxford Encyclopedia on Food and Drink in America.
A front page story for the Wall Street Journal led to her book The House of Mondavi, which involved more than 500 hours of interviews and examination of tens of thousands of pages of documents. Published by Penguin's Gotham Books in 2007, The House of Mondavi was honored as a finalist both for a James Beard Award and a Gerald Loeb Award for distinguished reporting and is now in its eleventh printing.
Her critically-acclaimed second book, Lost Kingdom, was also a New York Times bestseller.
In August of 2016, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Ms. Flynn Siler a “Public Scholar” grant for 2016-2017 to support her latest project, The White Devil’s Daughters.
In June of 2017, the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism announced that Ms. Siler had been awarded a Mayborn Fellowship in Biography to support the book. She was also named a Logan Nonfiction Fellow at the Carey Institute for Greater Good, where she spent the fall of 2017 completing her manuscript.
Ms. Siler is a longtime member of the San Francisco-based writing group North 24th Writers, whose members have published fourteen nonfiction books as well as hundreds of articles and essays in major magazines, newspapers and literary journals. She is also a member of the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto. She has taught journalism at the University of London’s Birkbeck college and led nonfiction workshops at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
March 19, 2020
I consider myself an oenophile and was so excited to read The House of Mondavi. I don't care for Mondavi wine, but it's a big name that draws much respect. I was expecting an entertaining read about the history of Mondavi wine and the family. That's exactly what I got! Family feuds, scandal, and a rags to riches story starting with his parents emigrating from Italy to the United States. I learned a few things along the way like Woodbridge is a Mondavi wine, he is the co-founder of Opus One and most importantly Robert Mondavi started labeling wines varietally rather than generically.
If you're a wine enthusiast and interested in the history of Napa Valley, this will appeal to you...cheers!
If you're a wine enthusiast and interested in the history of Napa Valley, this will appeal to you...cheers!
June 24, 2022
The Mondavi family is well known as one of the first California wine empires and this book covers their beginnings from the moment founder Cesare Mondavi arrived at Ellis Island in the early 1900s to the downfall of the empire.
While this is basically a biography of the members of the Mondavi family, it is also instructional in describing the history of wine in California. For me, that was really the most interesting part of the book. I picked this up in the hopes that it would be an involving picture of why a billion dollar company was torn asunder by family feuding and hubris. While the research was certainly there, I just never got my head wrapped around any of the family, as none of them exactly garnered respect, apart from the founders.
But it was interesting to read about grape production versus wine-making and the importance of California's emergence into elite wine-making, so it wasn't a complete waste. Just not very innervating.
Book Season = Summer (chablis, chardonnay)
While this is basically a biography of the members of the Mondavi family, it is also instructional in describing the history of wine in California. For me, that was really the most interesting part of the book. I picked this up in the hopes that it would be an involving picture of why a billion dollar company was torn asunder by family feuding and hubris. While the research was certainly there, I just never got my head wrapped around any of the family, as none of them exactly garnered respect, apart from the founders.
But it was interesting to read about grape production versus wine-making and the importance of California's emergence into elite wine-making, so it wasn't a complete waste. Just not very innervating.
Book Season = Summer (chablis, chardonnay)
April 14, 2009
I love wine. I love Mondavi wine. All their labels, for the money you can't get much better. The story of the first great American wine family reads like a Greek soap opera. The age old truth about family and business hold true is this tail. It's all there greed, betrayal, sex, and more.
I feel like this was a well researched book, that the family may or may not love. The author did an excellent job of not taking sides in the family's battles. She was able to shoe where both sides were wrong, and how this caused the course of events. I wonderful biography of a family and its business.
I feel like this was a well researched book, that the family may or may not love. The author did an excellent job of not taking sides in the family's battles. She was able to shoe where both sides were wrong, and how this caused the course of events. I wonderful biography of a family and its business.
July 27, 2021
Real-life soap opera
This book tells an interesting story, especially for those who know and love the California wine country, but it tells it poorly. The writing is dry and the narrative is burdened with far too many details. The reader ceases to care long before the book ends.
This book tells an interesting story, especially for those who know and love the California wine country, but it tells it poorly. The writing is dry and the narrative is burdened with far too many details. The reader ceases to care long before the book ends.
October 9, 2020
I’m not much of a wine 🍷 drinker but I did find this sweeping saga about the Mondavi family fascinating. There’s the poor, mostly uneducated immigrant couple that started it all, the college educated sons that dreamed of growing the business, and then the sibling rivalries, extravagant lifestyles, bickering with board members, legal battles, financial woes, and a hostile takeover. If you’re interested in family business sagas, this should be on your list! Not exactly shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations, but wow, a lot to learn from the rise and fall of this one family.
August 28, 2021
The first few chapters didn’t impress me overall. It began with one of those modern moments in the life of the mogul and then it flashed back to the origin of the empire. The book seemed trite until I realized that the patterns of rise and fall are a part of human weakness. These kinds of stories share similarities while having their own specific dramatic moments. Julia Flynn has written a good book, and as I read along, I was interested enough in the people involved to read to the end.
Robert Mondavi was a first generation American. Both of his parents were born in Italy, eventually migrating to California and working in the grape and wine business. It was their oldest son, Robert, that was the visionary. He convinced his parents to buy the legendary Charles Krug winery. He was a tireless promoter of Napa Valley and the family business. As heir apparent to the winery, his life changed when his father died and left his share of the business to his widow. Mom Mondavi preferred the younger son and vintner, Peter, and thus Robert was cast out of the family business and the Robert Mondavi winery began. For most people that might have been the end of the story, but without ruining all the details, Robert’s success brings about its own drama.
Entrepreneurs create something out of nothing because they have a vision. The successful ones build and manage the business and groom their children to be the heirs. The children usually lack vision, but they are given the skills to be managers. But they are in the shadow of the great man and managing is not enough. They want to grow and innovate, and they struggle. The third generation typically watches the struggle and conflict between the first two generations, and they go their own way into things like the arts or boutique enterprises. The fourth generation is so removed by how the family earned their money they scorn capitalism, while living like elite noblemen.
This is a quintessential story of how success cannot be inherited. Every generation must have the skills and the desires of their own and very few do.
*Personal Note:
I have a two-man book club with a friend that moved to Hawaii during the Covid Pandemic. We take turns suggesting a title and then spend a few hours discussing what we thought about it. He picked this one hesitantly. I said I would give it a few chapters and decide. I never would have read it on my own. Although he and I share many commonalities, we differ politically and it makes for thought provoking discussions about subjects I wouldn't think to tackle.
Robert Mondavi was a first generation American. Both of his parents were born in Italy, eventually migrating to California and working in the grape and wine business. It was their oldest son, Robert, that was the visionary. He convinced his parents to buy the legendary Charles Krug winery. He was a tireless promoter of Napa Valley and the family business. As heir apparent to the winery, his life changed when his father died and left his share of the business to his widow. Mom Mondavi preferred the younger son and vintner, Peter, and thus Robert was cast out of the family business and the Robert Mondavi winery began. For most people that might have been the end of the story, but without ruining all the details, Robert’s success brings about its own drama.
Entrepreneurs create something out of nothing because they have a vision. The successful ones build and manage the business and groom their children to be the heirs. The children usually lack vision, but they are given the skills to be managers. But they are in the shadow of the great man and managing is not enough. They want to grow and innovate, and they struggle. The third generation typically watches the struggle and conflict between the first two generations, and they go their own way into things like the arts or boutique enterprises. The fourth generation is so removed by how the family earned their money they scorn capitalism, while living like elite noblemen.
This is a quintessential story of how success cannot be inherited. Every generation must have the skills and the desires of their own and very few do.
*Personal Note:
I have a two-man book club with a friend that moved to Hawaii during the Covid Pandemic. We take turns suggesting a title and then spend a few hours discussing what we thought about it. He picked this one hesitantly. I said I would give it a few chapters and decide. I never would have read it on my own. Although he and I share many commonalities, we differ politically and it makes for thought provoking discussions about subjects I wouldn't think to tackle.
September 9, 2019
The level of detail that the author captures in this book is pretty stunning, covering nearly a century of the Mondavi clan's history. I started the book because I wanted to learn more about wine and the role the Mondavis have played in the American wine scene. As others have pointed out, this reads more like a Greek tragedy of the family itself, but I was hooked by the drama and stayed through till the end. It's a pretty wild story.
December 24, 2019
Ooh, spill that tea! ...or wine?
June 7, 2025
Less about wine and more about lawsuits. Uninteresting people squabbling.
August 8, 2014
Having recently returned from a trip to Napa, I was interested in learning more about the famous Mondavi family, which has been an icon in the wine industry for several decades. Julia Flynn Siler’s portrayal of ‘The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty’ was a mesmerizing account of the enigmatic members of the Mondavi clan, especially Robert Mondavi, who sought to transform the wine industry into one of finesse by pairing fine wines with delicious food. The author precisely recounts the many emotional conflicts within the family, with almost a cast of characters that might typify a soap opera. Because these people are all so real, with many still living today and working in the wine industry, the book was so very interesting! In order to have written this work, the author must have done some serious research, and she portrays the events with such exacting detail that I felt like I was almost there witnessing all the sibling rivalry and bitterness, as well as the passion for wine-making and success. If you love fine wines and the stories that accompany them, this book is a must read!
Incidentally, the book describes the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as an exquisite wine, as confirmed by Paul Lukas in ‘The Great Wines of America: The Top Forty Vintners, Vineyards, and Vintages.’ However, although the Opus 1 was designated as Mondavi winery’s prized wine produced in collaboration with the Baron Philippe Rothschild, of the Premier Grand Cru Mouton Rothschild, the author states that the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, is a wine of distinction and quality, possibly even exceeding the Opus 1.
Incidentally, the book describes the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as an exquisite wine, as confirmed by Paul Lukas in ‘The Great Wines of America: The Top Forty Vintners, Vineyards, and Vintages.’ However, although the Opus 1 was designated as Mondavi winery’s prized wine produced in collaboration with the Baron Philippe Rothschild, of the Premier Grand Cru Mouton Rothschild, the author states that the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, is a wine of distinction and quality, possibly even exceeding the Opus 1.
November 15, 2007
This is a fascinating history of the most famous (and infamous) American wine dynasty, the Mondavis, and the rise and fall of their empire. The book spans 4 generations, and is divided into four parts: Foundation, Construction, Expansion, and the stunning finale, Demolition. The meticulously researched text reads like a Greek tragedy; the reader can see disaster looming, however the characters are unable to control the events from unfolding. Siler weaves an epic tale of ambition and hubris, rage and betrayal, pride and lust, extreme success and ultimate heartbreak. She systematically reveals the sibling rivalries, infighting, and unwise business decisions that led to the family's magnificent failure. I was amazed to learn of the enormous impact that the icon and visionary, Robert Mondavi, had on the acceptance of wine, California production, and American culture in general. He was responsible, more than any other individal, for giving the maligned American wine industry the worldwide respect it now enjoys. This is a must read for those interested in business, the world of winemaking, and biographies.
October 12, 2010
Robert Mondavi has made his name a household word throgh the growth of the winery started by his father. However, it came at a price - the split in the family arising from control of the business with his brother and sister.
But wait - there's more! Not only is this a good biography (with a little dirt dished) it's actually a valuable business lesson on family businesses. Something for everyone, and very well researched/written.
But wait - there's more! Not only is this a good biography (with a little dirt dished) it's actually a valuable business lesson on family businesses. Something for everyone, and very well researched/written.
August 5, 2016
excellent telling of the Mondavi empire in Napa Vally. as a wine enthusiast i was a little familiar with the family rift that split the brothers, but had no idea the drama over the years that occurred to this infamous wine making family and what actually happened at Robert Mondavi Winery. highly recommended, couldn't put it down. think ill read about the Gallos next.
August 9, 2011
This book is fantastic! The author portrays a really clear and dysfunctional picture of the Mondavi empire. The book is well written with some "juicy" information. Not being a fan of Mondavi wines, I loved it!
December 28, 2018
Great insight into the quarreling Mondavi family and the emergence of Napa Valley as one of the world's best grape growing regions. If you like wine and the history of wine, this book is a winner.
PS: I later joined their Board of Directors for a first hand view!
PS: I later joined their Board of Directors for a first hand view!
Read
July 26, 2008What can I say....I'm a wine enthusiast. Mondavi died a few months ago and I wanted to read about his life.
April 27, 2020
Finally, I finished this book. I am angry! I was expecting too much, but it was about too much economics and it looks like I will remain with a dark feeling about this family.
Only ⭐⭐ ...
Only ⭐⭐ ...
January 30, 2019
This book has been sitting on my book shelf since I bought it back in 2007. It always seemed like it would be interesting, but never enough to rise to the top of my "Read This Next" pile. Long January days are the perfect time to make the decision to either read or get rid of books that have sat for so long in oblivion.
The topics hit a lot of my buttons: learning more about the making and quality of different wines, learning the business of wine, and studying family dynamics. The author Julia Siler writes for the Wall St Journal, has an MBA and a Journalism Masters from Columbia, etc - no wonder it was in my comfort zone. Her background helped her write a very thorough, well documented book, though at times I found it too long, too detailed. I kept wondering how much shorter it could have been if it were being presented as a case study in an MBA program; it kept my attention for about 200 pages, but I sometimes found it getting tedious in the second 200 pages.
It is, as the book blurbs say, at times a "Greek tragedy, Shakespearean drama, Biblical strife, Freudian acting out, even a soap opera..". The titles of the four Parts of the book - Foundation, Construction, Expansion, Demolition - summarize the gist of what happened to the house of Mondavi over the 1906-2005 period. The fathers in the book all try to hold their families together and keep the family dynasty together, but each generation makes the same mistakes. It also makes you wonder whether inherited wealth always leads to the destructive feelings of entitlement.
My biggest take-away: Wine companies and brands trade and change over time, and most brands sell many different quality levels of wine. No point in being snobbish and saying you'll only drink Blah-Blah, since it could well be a cheap wine that is well (or heavily) marketed, or drastically different from other versions under the same label - stick with your palate. (In this regard, I thought of sports teams, where all the players and coaches change frequently - you might be attached to the terroir, but not really the team!)
++++
vocab:
18, 29, etc enology
77 tule fog (unique to Sonoma and Napa?)
355 pomace (not to be confused with pumice)
Weird trivia:
Mondavi pronunciation - always was Mon-da-vi in Europe, when family moved to America, Cesar changed pronunciation to Mon-Day-vi; first Mondavi wines were pronounced that way, then family fought and split, some wine under Mon-day-vi , some under Mon-da-vi; eventually (decades later) all switched back to European pronunciation (79, 380)
wine info:
140 component judging at tastings: look for relative sugar, yeast and alcohol amounts
217 the way wine is distributed and priced - interesting
268 oxidized wine is why it tastes vinegary
wine types/brands, etc:
162 Rothschild changed to chateau bottling
164 Woodbridge in 1.5 liter bottles
199 between Woodbridge and Mondavi
215 Gallo traditionally jug wine
241 "if you were going for high quality, why did you sell at Costco?"
243 levels of wine at Kendall Jackson (lowest Woodbridge, "popular premium", 3-7 a bottle, higher wines Robert Mondavi Napa Valley and Byron wines for1 14-20, then super premium Robert Mondavi Napa Reserve and Opus One more than 20 - VIchon was supposed to fill the 7-14 gap)
251 no specific appellation
256 new flange tops
264-5 Languedoc wine - region in France, compared to Bordeau, - now I want to visit, sounds great
287 white Zinfandel considered a starter wine, sweet unsophisticated
308 two buck Chuck - has, heard about this when kids were in college, didn't know background (sold only at Trader Joes, sold under the Charles Shaw label, which had once been an upscale Napa brand; label bought by Franzia and turned into a low-price phenomenon
309-10 and Franzia - fascinating
332 Sands Brothers - makers of "rot gut Manischevitz", now run biggest wine business in world (bought out so many others)
341 "lifestyle" wine (under $15) vs premium or luxury (Woodbridge and Mondavi Private Selection are lifestyle wines)
Business aspects:
18 - wine consumption in US more than doubled during prohibition years from 60 million to 150 million gallons - due to loophole in VolsteadAct permitting families to make wine at home for their own consumption
291 kicked Michael Mondavi upstairs to become Chairman
338 the two classes of stock that Mondavi had created to retain family control - gave it up, mistake?
339 the cost of philanthropy - Robert Mondavi had over-pledged - family lost control basically due to trying to honor this so as to not embarrass him
357 employee count dropped from 1100 to 300 in one year
358 the Mondavi name is now owned by Constellation
380 charity auctions of wine - Napa had been biggest, most prestigious, now Naples FL is bigger
Random:
Falcon Crest, TV show in 80s, apparently modeled on Mondavi family
273 - quite the menu - would be fun to try to duplicate this meal!
The topics hit a lot of my buttons: learning more about the making and quality of different wines, learning the business of wine, and studying family dynamics. The author Julia Siler writes for the Wall St Journal, has an MBA and a Journalism Masters from Columbia, etc - no wonder it was in my comfort zone. Her background helped her write a very thorough, well documented book, though at times I found it too long, too detailed. I kept wondering how much shorter it could have been if it were being presented as a case study in an MBA program; it kept my attention for about 200 pages, but I sometimes found it getting tedious in the second 200 pages.
It is, as the book blurbs say, at times a "Greek tragedy, Shakespearean drama, Biblical strife, Freudian acting out, even a soap opera..". The titles of the four Parts of the book - Foundation, Construction, Expansion, Demolition - summarize the gist of what happened to the house of Mondavi over the 1906-2005 period. The fathers in the book all try to hold their families together and keep the family dynasty together, but each generation makes the same mistakes. It also makes you wonder whether inherited wealth always leads to the destructive feelings of entitlement.
My biggest take-away: Wine companies and brands trade and change over time, and most brands sell many different quality levels of wine. No point in being snobbish and saying you'll only drink Blah-Blah, since it could well be a cheap wine that is well (or heavily) marketed, or drastically different from other versions under the same label - stick with your palate. (In this regard, I thought of sports teams, where all the players and coaches change frequently - you might be attached to the terroir, but not really the team!)
++++
vocab:
18, 29, etc enology
77 tule fog (unique to Sonoma and Napa?)
355 pomace (not to be confused with pumice)
Weird trivia:
Mondavi pronunciation - always was Mon-da-vi in Europe, when family moved to America, Cesar changed pronunciation to Mon-Day-vi; first Mondavi wines were pronounced that way, then family fought and split, some wine under Mon-day-vi , some under Mon-da-vi; eventually (decades later) all switched back to European pronunciation (79, 380)
wine info:
140 component judging at tastings: look for relative sugar, yeast and alcohol amounts
217 the way wine is distributed and priced - interesting
268 oxidized wine is why it tastes vinegary
wine types/brands, etc:
162 Rothschild changed to chateau bottling
164 Woodbridge in 1.5 liter bottles
199 between Woodbridge and Mondavi
215 Gallo traditionally jug wine
241 "if you were going for high quality, why did you sell at Costco?"
243 levels of wine at Kendall Jackson (lowest Woodbridge, "popular premium", 3-7 a bottle, higher wines Robert Mondavi Napa Valley and Byron wines for1 14-20, then super premium Robert Mondavi Napa Reserve and Opus One more than 20 - VIchon was supposed to fill the 7-14 gap)
251 no specific appellation
256 new flange tops
264-5 Languedoc wine - region in France, compared to Bordeau, - now I want to visit, sounds great
287 white Zinfandel considered a starter wine, sweet unsophisticated
308 two buck Chuck - has, heard about this when kids were in college, didn't know background (sold only at Trader Joes, sold under the Charles Shaw label, which had once been an upscale Napa brand; label bought by Franzia and turned into a low-price phenomenon
309-10 and Franzia - fascinating
332 Sands Brothers - makers of "rot gut Manischevitz", now run biggest wine business in world (bought out so many others)
341 "lifestyle" wine (under $15) vs premium or luxury (Woodbridge and Mondavi Private Selection are lifestyle wines)
Business aspects:
18 - wine consumption in US more than doubled during prohibition years from 60 million to 150 million gallons - due to loophole in VolsteadAct permitting families to make wine at home for their own consumption
291 kicked Michael Mondavi upstairs to become Chairman
338 the two classes of stock that Mondavi had created to retain family control - gave it up, mistake?
339 the cost of philanthropy - Robert Mondavi had over-pledged - family lost control basically due to trying to honor this so as to not embarrass him
357 employee count dropped from 1100 to 300 in one year
358 the Mondavi name is now owned by Constellation
380 charity auctions of wine - Napa had been biggest, most prestigious, now Naples FL is bigger
Random:
Falcon Crest, TV show in 80s, apparently modeled on Mondavi family
273 - quite the menu - would be fun to try to duplicate this meal!
September 10, 2025
I bought this book years and years ago. I read the first chapter and bounced off of it. I didn’t find the authors style to be gripping or maybe I didn’t have the maturity to understand the story that was laid out in front of me at age 22/23. But now nearing 30 I found this book enthralling in all the best ways.
The book opens showing us a moment meant to symbolize a low point for Robert Mondavi, the closest thing to a protagonist, and his family. We are then thrown back in time to learn about the first generations of mondavi. Cesare, the patriarch, is written about in glowing terms. He is the closest thing to clear cut morally person in the whole book. Cesare and his children live modestly but have dreams and buy a winery. The family sees success but at the cost of their unity. Once Cesare dies everything breaks. The family is in court, divorces are rampant, and business intrigue destroys them.
The next beat surrounds the struggle of Robert Mondavi and his children. Both children are written in what seems like a mostly negative fashion. Their flaws are in full display. But the company continues to grow and grow until it’s too large. It becomes too big and through the greed and the entitlement of the third generation the family loses the company. It’s a harrowing tale of intrigue and business maneuvering but also passion and love of craft.
I enjoyed this book. My biggest complaint is actually that even though the book is ostensibly chronological people who should have come into the story chapters ago pop up and we get a very quick history on just that person. It just feels a bit little the author suddenly remembered that person existed. I recognize it’s to streamline the narrative and is probably the better choice but was so frequent that it felt like a band-aid after the editor asked who a person was in an earlier version.
The book opens showing us a moment meant to symbolize a low point for Robert Mondavi, the closest thing to a protagonist, and his family. We are then thrown back in time to learn about the first generations of mondavi. Cesare, the patriarch, is written about in glowing terms. He is the closest thing to clear cut morally person in the whole book. Cesare and his children live modestly but have dreams and buy a winery. The family sees success but at the cost of their unity. Once Cesare dies everything breaks. The family is in court, divorces are rampant, and business intrigue destroys them.
The next beat surrounds the struggle of Robert Mondavi and his children. Both children are written in what seems like a mostly negative fashion. Their flaws are in full display. But the company continues to grow and grow until it’s too large. It becomes too big and through the greed and the entitlement of the third generation the family loses the company. It’s a harrowing tale of intrigue and business maneuvering but also passion and love of craft.
I enjoyed this book. My biggest complaint is actually that even though the book is ostensibly chronological people who should have come into the story chapters ago pop up and we get a very quick history on just that person. It just feels a bit little the author suddenly remembered that person existed. I recognize it’s to streamline the narrative and is probably the better choice but was so frequent that it felt like a band-aid after the editor asked who a person was in an earlier version.
February 4, 2020
Bear with me... I absolutely hate my book reviews since they tend to sound like "I really liked it!".
In an effort to face a fear and turn over a new leaf in 2020, I'll leave a review on this book. Well, facing a fear and inspiration from a fabulous reviewer! From what I read, this appears to have been a well researched book going back to the immigration of Cesare Mondavi in 1906. Mondavi is a name I took for granted--in the 80's when I was a cocktail server, Mondavi wines were the high end of the low end, nice, but not really nice. What I walked away with after reading this book was respect for this family and what they brought to Napa and the world of wine, as dysfunctional as most of the Mondavi descendants seemed to be. Not sure if I ever knew this before reading the book (since age--or perhaps drinking-- has me forgetting things I've already learned) but Mondavi was one of the wineries involved in creating Opus One. One of the best wines I ever had with a more herbaceous old-world quality as opposed to the more full concentrated flavor of other newer wines.
Just prior to finishing this book, I was seeking a Cabernet in the wine cabinet--something to watch with Super Bowl LIV. Lo and behold I had a bottle of Mondavi Private Selection, aged in Bourbon barrels. Opened it and raised a glass to all the Mondavi's who have dedicated their efforts to wine. Thank you for the wine, the stories and really cool place to visit in Napa!
In an effort to face a fear and turn over a new leaf in 2020, I'll leave a review on this book. Well, facing a fear and inspiration from a fabulous reviewer! From what I read, this appears to have been a well researched book going back to the immigration of Cesare Mondavi in 1906. Mondavi is a name I took for granted--in the 80's when I was a cocktail server, Mondavi wines were the high end of the low end, nice, but not really nice. What I walked away with after reading this book was respect for this family and what they brought to Napa and the world of wine, as dysfunctional as most of the Mondavi descendants seemed to be. Not sure if I ever knew this before reading the book (since age--or perhaps drinking-- has me forgetting things I've already learned) but Mondavi was one of the wineries involved in creating Opus One. One of the best wines I ever had with a more herbaceous old-world quality as opposed to the more full concentrated flavor of other newer wines.
Just prior to finishing this book, I was seeking a Cabernet in the wine cabinet--something to watch with Super Bowl LIV. Lo and behold I had a bottle of Mondavi Private Selection, aged in Bourbon barrels. Opened it and raised a glass to all the Mondavi's who have dedicated their efforts to wine. Thank you for the wine, the stories and really cool place to visit in Napa!
March 13, 2018
An epic, scandal-plagued story of the immigrant family that built and then spectacularly lost a global wine empireSet in California s lush Napa Valley and spanning four generations of a talented and visionary family, "The House of Mondavi" is a tale of genius, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. From 1906, when Italian immigrant Cesare Mondavi passed through Ellis Island, to the Robert Mondavi Corp. s twenty-first-century battle over a billion-dollar fortune, award-winning journalist Julia Flynn brings to life both the place and the people in this riveting family drama.
The blood feuds are as spectacular as the business triumphs. Cesare s sons, Robert and Peter, literally came to blows in the 1960s during a dispute touched off by the purchase of a mink coat, resulting in Robert s exile from the family and his subsequent founding of a winery that would set off a revolution in American winemaking. Robert s sons, Michael and Timothy, as passionate in their own ways as their visionary father, waged battle with each other for control of the company before Michael s expansive ambitions ultimately led to a board coup and the sale of the business to an international conglomerate.
A meticulously reported narrative based on thousands of hours of interviews, "The House of Mondavi"is bound to become a classic."
The blood feuds are as spectacular as the business triumphs. Cesare s sons, Robert and Peter, literally came to blows in the 1960s during a dispute touched off by the purchase of a mink coat, resulting in Robert s exile from the family and his subsequent founding of a winery that would set off a revolution in American winemaking. Robert s sons, Michael and Timothy, as passionate in their own ways as their visionary father, waged battle with each other for control of the company before Michael s expansive ambitions ultimately led to a board coup and the sale of the business to an international conglomerate.
A meticulously reported narrative based on thousands of hours of interviews, "The House of Mondavi"is bound to become a classic."
August 20, 2019
In 1906 Cesare Mondavi immigrated from Italy to California where he started a successful wine business in the Napa Valley. His two sons joined him in the business in spite of their very incompatible personalities. It was when Cesare decided that he had to keep control of his sons and the business, even after he died, that the story seems to take on a sort of Biblical resonance. It also has aspects of Greek tragedy and it is fascinating to watch the family members, who often see what is happening to them, but are powerless to stop it because of the limitations of their own characters. The very thorough research, including a large number of interviews, make the book something of a model for data collection for writing recent and contemporary history.
October 29, 2021
A very enjoyable and informative book that also reads easily. Even though it's about 400 pages, it reads quickly and the reader acquires a vivid understanding of everything at play in the story: from Cesare Mondavi coming to America, the family running their wineries, Robert going his own way, and how he shaped how Americans view and consume wine today, it's both informative and enjoyable. I previously didn't know how Robert Mondavi is largely responsible for wine being a premium drink in America. Julia Flynn Siler also provides detailed, but approachable, explanations for the business environment surrounding the wine industry and Mondavi being a public company. If you want to learn more about Napa or America's relationship with wine, this book is a great resource.
January 4, 2018
I listened to the audio version which I thought was very well read. I enjoyed the story of the Mondavi's and the rise of the family. I also enjoyed the facts and information about the wine industry and how their contributions helped make American wines what they are today. I grew up hearing many of the news stories, so it was very informative to hear the background story to the headlines. I think the author had a slight biased towards Robert Mondavi's side than Peter's and although Roberts had more of the drama, I would have liked to have heard more about how they made it through after they lost the suit. Otherwise, the book was one I am glad I took the time to listen to.
February 20, 2021
I was very excited to learn as much as I could about the wine industry and a famous wine industrious; however, I was deeply disappointed by this book. Although there were excellent information about the wine industry, however, there were too much reporting about the family clashes between family members, especially between father and his sons. One or two chapters illustrating the in fighting is okay, but chapter after chapter was too much for me. Also, the book read more as a law text book rather than a novel.
December 1, 2022
I have a penchant for family sagas, especially those who have (or had) power and influence. I know a bit about wine, but less about how wine became big in the US, so this read was right up my alley. It took a while and dragged a bit, especially in the back half, but I found it interesting nonetheless. As with similar stories, you will both admire and abhor the characters - traits, I believe, that embody most who claw their way to the top. It's a great history of Napa and the influence Mondavi had on the area, and on the American wine industry as a whole.
September 22, 2023
This book initially interested me because I love wine and learning more about the process and history, especially since the Mondavi family was the beginning of Napa Valley’s rise to fame. The beginning of the book was interesting and kept me reading, but partway through, I lost interest and had trouble keeping names and timelines straight. It seemed to drag on, and there was too much detail at times, and the writing is very straightforward and dry.
I did learn some interesting history, but it was a struggle to finish this book.
I did learn some interesting history, but it was a struggle to finish this book.
July 13, 2017
I read this for a "wine book club" that I belong to. It is a long book. It is perhaps more about greed and family dysfunction than about wine. I learned a fair amount and it tied in nicely to other wine related books I have read. However, the author tends to overdue details that drag the book out. When I read about Robert and Maigrit Mondavi going to a fund-raiser, I don't really need to know the details of the color of her scarf. I found my self skimming in order to get through it.
December 21, 2022
Overall this was a great book detailing some of the great American wine history and truly an overarching inside look at the Mondavi family and what it means to own a winery.
The book was in great detail, sometimes too much detail, but you really could imagine what was going on and didn’t leave you asking questions. I wish there were more wine books like this because it was fascinating! The ending will make you smile :)
Worth the read!!
The book was in great detail, sometimes too much detail, but you really could imagine what was going on and didn’t leave you asking questions. I wish there were more wine books like this because it was fascinating! The ending will make you smile :)
Worth the read!!
November 27, 2018
Great Read tracing the US wine industry through a leader
Mondavi was a piece of work, but his story shows common themes of aspirations of family dynasty, struggle for power, and resentment of success. It’d be hard to write a piece of fiction to illustrate the themes so accurately taught via this story.
Mondavi was a piece of work, but his story shows common themes of aspirations of family dynasty, struggle for power, and resentment of success. It’d be hard to write a piece of fiction to illustrate the themes so accurately taught via this story.
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