United States · California

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery, founded in 1966 in Oakville, was the first major new Napa Valley winery built after Prohibition and a foundational force in establishing California Cabernet Sauvignon as a world-class category. Robert Mondavi introduced the Fume Blanc designation for barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, while his Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—sourced from the historic To Kalon Vineyard—set benchmarks throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The 1974 Reserve Cabernet remains the top auction vintage. At auction, the To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block Cabernet Sauvignon averages $392 per bottle, compared to $129 for the standard Reserve and $104 for the To Kalon I Block Fume Blanc. The portfolio spans 1,166 lots with prices from under $10 to $2,390, reflecting both wide commercial production and a small tier of serious collectibles. The Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet ($63 avg) and The Estates Cabernet ($52 avg) sit below Reserve pricing but attract consistent auction interest. Since the 2004 Constellation Brands acquisition quality has remained steady, but mature Reserve vintages from the 1970s through 1990s—especially 1974, 1978, 1984, and 1994—remain the strongest auction performers and the primary driver of collector demand.