Peter Mondavi, Jr
Peter Mondavi Jr. is the second son of Peter and Blanche Mondavi and grandson of Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, the Napa Valley pioneers who purchased the historic Charles Krug Winery in 1943. As co-proprietor with his brother Marc, he works closely with their father, Peter Sr., on issues of strategic importance, including stewardship of the family legacy.
Peter, born in 1958, grew up on the winery property. “I was born and raised around grapes, wine and food. It has always been part of my being,” says Peter. His education began at the winery, at a very young age, where he and Marc sanded fermenting tanks, unpacked glasses, worked in the winery’s laboratory and cellar, and drove tractors through the vineyards.
He may have started his education at the winery, but following in his father’s footsteps, he attended Stanford University, earning a BS in mechanical engineering, an MS in engineering management and an MBA a decade later. His engineering background has proved a valuable asset to the winery as he has directed a number of key design projects, including the development of a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. His business education has also greatly contributed to the development and execution of the company’s long-term strategic plan.
Peter spearheads the stewardship of the historic Charles Krug winery and vineyards. Peter’s passion is working to reinforce Charles Krug Winery as one of Napa Valley’s premier estates, centering on the family’s tradition of innovation and quality. As Peter says, “Between Dad, Marc and me, we have collectively been making wine from grapes grown on our vineyards for about 100 years. There’s a love and passion here that is reflected in our wines.”
Peter is also a member of numerous wine and food related organizations, including the Wine and Food Society of San Francisco, Chaine des Rotisseurs (Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs) and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture. A prolific fundraiser, in 2015, Peter will embark on his thirteenth year of partnership with Morton’s and Mastro’s to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Peter is a former board member of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, Stanford Graduate School of Business Alumni Association, Yountville Appellation Association, Bottlenotes Advisory Board and Family Winemakers of California. He keeps his academic ties alive as a guest lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Law School and School of Engineering as well as UC Davis School of Law. He lives in Napa Valley with his wife Katie Williams-Mondavi. They have two children, a son Lucio who is a student at Stanford and a daughter Lia who attends Harvard.