SOMM TV wine & food Episode 284: Tim Mondavi explains it all
Mar 17, 2026
Tim Mondavi, a Napa winemaking legend who led Opus One, Robert Mondavi Winery and Continuum, shares reflections on Napa’s diverse subregions and the legacy of the Judgment of Paris. He talks vintage stories, replanting after phylloxera, climate-driven site decisions, the next generation of curious winemakers, and why shared meals matter to wine culture.
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Napa's Strength Is Local Diversity
- Tim Mondavi frames Napa Valley's greatness as a concentration of microclimates, soils, and people within a short distance.
- He cites diverse appellations and soil types as the reason Napa expresses many distinct wine styles despite its small size.
Use Science To Improve Wine Quality
- Use UC Davis-style scientific research to modernize winemaking and viticulture practices.
- Mondavi credits Davis with giving microbiology, technology, and practical tools that allowed Napa to improve quality.
Phylloxera Reshaped Napa's Style
- Mondavi argues phylloxera-driven replanting reshaped Napa's style and reputation post-replant.
- He links the post-phylloxera vine choices to a shift toward the larger, sturdier wines that dominated Napa's image.