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How the Mondavi Family Split America's Wine Industry
Season 1
Episode 16
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
In 1966, Robert Mondavi left his family's winery to build his own — and in doing so, kicked off a feud that shaped the modern California wine industry. This episode traces how the Mondavi family transformed Napa Valley from a sleepy agricultural region into a global luxury brand, then lost control when a public feud and a hostile takeover by Constellation Brands ended their 70-year run. We look at the specific decisions — the split with his brother, the IPO in 1993, the launch of Opus One — that built and eventually broke the dynasty. And we ask: could the Mondavis have avoided selling out if they'd kept the family together?