The Mondavi Legacy

Robert and Peter Mondavi

The grandchildren of Robert Mondavi (1913-2008) and Peter Mondavi (1914-2016), famous feuding brothers in the winemaking business, are bringing the family back together again. Second cousins and fourth-generation wine makers Rob Mondavi Jr and Angelina Mondavi are creating Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from mountaintop vineyards owned by their respective families, under one label: Fourth Leaf Wines.

The Mondavi wine family legacy dates back to 1943, when Rob Jr and Angelina’s great-grandparents Cesare and Rosa Mondavi bought the Charles Krug Winery, Napa Valley’s first winery, which was founded in 1861. The Mondavi family helped build the wine business in Napa Valley. In fact, Robert Mondavi is credited with convincing the naysayers of the world that fine wine flowed from California.

Rob Jr and Angelina are striving for the perfection their grandparents worked for, and I was lucky enough to meet them and taste the wine of their labors at Credo restaurant in San Francisco. The pair chose Credo and Chef Chris Fernandez to help them come up with the perfect pairing menu to share their 2011- 2014 Fourth Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon. And it was, perfect.

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

The menu:

Credo
Presented by Chef Chris Fernandez
Paired to 2011-2014 Fourth Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Reception
Twiced Baked Potatoes with Shallot Cream & Bacon
Smoked Salmon, Lemon Creme Fraiche, Salmon Roe on Rye Crostini
Dungeness Crab & Apple Salad

 

Cheese Course

 

First Course
Spiced Glazed Pork Belly with Beets, Fennel, Mustard Greens, Walnuts and Aceto Balsamico

 

Second Course
Duck two ways:
Red Wine Braised Duck Leg with Lentils and Braised Chard and Green Garlic
Duck Breast with Celery Root Puree, Tokyo Turnips, Apples, Golden Raisins and Sherry Vinegar Sauce

 

Third Course
Chocolate Ganache Tart, Bourbon Caramel and Toasted Marshmallow