AP
May 17, 2008
BERKELEY, Calif. - Robert Mondavi, the pioneering vintner who helped put California wine country on the map, died at his Napa Valley home yesterday. He was 94.
In 1966, he opened the winery that would help turn Napa into a world center of the industry.
He helped change California's reputation for cheap jug wine by championing cold fermentation, stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels.
