Charles Krug: Napa Valley’s First Winery, 4th Generation-Driven
Interviews with Riana and Angelina Mondavi
videographer: Linda Spina
An Interview with Riana Mondavi, Director of DTC Operations
Charles Krug Winery, Established in 1861 as the first commercial winery in Napa Valley, this iconic winery has roots with the Mondavi family. I’m pleased to be able to interview Riana and Angelina Mondavi to learn more about their place in the heritage and future plans. Charles Krug Winery also is the home to California’s first tasting room. New experiences offered at the winery were a topic of discussion, among them the Truffle Shuffle.
Question to Riana Mondavi: What do you do now in the family winery business?
Answer: “I have been working for my family winery for 15 years now. These days I am the Director of DTC Operations [Direct to Consumer]. If you come to visit us in the tasting room, order online, or join our wine club membership, I help the team manage those.”
For an extended answer, please click on video
A Brief History of Charles Krug Winery
The 4th generation of the Mondavi family is now involved in running Napa Valley’s oldest continuously operated winery, founded by German immigrant Charles Krug in 1861. In 1943 Casare and Rosa Mondavi, parents to Robert and Peter, purchased Charles Krug Winery. In 1966 Robert Mondavi departed Charles Krug following a family feud to start his own venture. Since that time the Peter Mondavi Sr. family has operated Krug.
The redesigned $20 million+ tasting room and winery renovation is a lovely setting in which to offer visitors distinctive culinary choices matching Krug’s extensive wine portfolio. Sip the “Generations” red wine blend invented by 3rd generation vintner Mark Mondavi. Napa Valley history buffs appreciate the story of a new generation of winemakers who thoughtfully crafted a red blend in spite of their dad’s admonishment to make pure Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Notes Riana Mondavi, great-granddaughter to Cesare and Rosa, “As a family, no matter if you are the founding generation or the 4th generation, it is imperative we keep working hard to keep our legacy alive.”
videographer: Linda Spina
Question to Riana Mondavi: What sets you apart from the other wineries in Napa Valley?
Answer: “What sets apart is that we are a historic winery, the first in Napa Valley. It’s a family winery that we’ve owned for 80 years. The number of family-owned wineries is dwindling.”
For an extended answer, please click on video
An Interview with Angelina Mondavi, Board Member, Winemaker, Charles Krug Winery
Videographer: Linda Spina
Question for Angelina Mondavi: What is your role in the Charles Krug Winery business?
Answer: “First and foremost I sit on the outside Board of Directors…and more recently I am newly appointed as the winemaker for our luxury wines….basically our vintage selections.”
For an extended answer, please click on video
Question for Angelina Mondavi: What is your approach to blending: lots, single varietals, single vineyards, and what is your blending philosophy?
Answer: ”My blending philosophy revolves around my grandfather, Peter Mondavi Sr. who was a purist.....once we go into blending, we grade everything. Will it make it for the vintage selection? Or is it for our Generations? Or any of our Limited Release?....Always focusing on our top tier.”
For an extended answer, please click on video
Charles Krug Truffle Shuffle and Caviar Experiences
Charles Krug Winery, Napa Valley’s oldest winery and one of the remaining continuously single family owned wineries in the region, announced in October 2023 a strategic partnership with Truffle Shuffle, a company born out of a desire to share the exquisite art of cooking with truffles. The exclusive partnership brings together two chefs from the world-renowned French Laundry in Napa Valley with top-tier wines from the Peter Mondavi Sr. estate vineyards, where both new and existing consumers will engage in an immersive, hands-on experience at the estate. This new campaign speaks to the next generation of consumers while also embodying Truffle Shuffle’s dedication to gastronomic brilliance and continues to solidify Charles Krug as a world-class hospitality estate.
“We are proud to continue our family's legacy of producing exquisite wines and now providing amazing culinary experiences thanks to our recent strategic partnerships with Calvisius Caviar and, most recently, Truffle Shuffle,” says Riana Mondavi, 4th generation family member and co-proprietress.
Best of Tasting: Charles Krug Wines:
2022 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $23
Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points
2019 Charles Krug Family Reserve Generations, Red Blend, Napa Valley, $75
Wine Enthusiast, 97 Points
2018 Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $175
James Suckling, 94 Points
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar
Sparkling Wines: Gift-Giving Recommendations
La Cité du Vin International Wine Museum Offering a Sensory Experience
The Fine Champagnes of Billecart-Salmon
Chateau Montelena, and the 1976 Judgement of Paris Revisited
Gary Farrell Winery: The Neighborhoods of Russian River Valley
Cliff Lede Vineyards: Remastering the Rock & Roll Winery of Napa Valley
What is a Cooperage?
Grower Champagnes – Why are They the Darlings of Champagne?
The Loire Valley: Touring Chateau Chenonceau
Two Surprising Wineries of the Loire Valley: Montdomaine and Ambacia, Ancient Sites with Modern, Organic Approaches
The Martini – What’s New, What’s Old: Classic vs. Modern
Celia Welch: A Napa Valley Winemaker Legend
Understanding Right Bank Bordeaux: Pomerol and St. Emilion
Restaurants of Napa Valley
Cliff Lede – Rock and Roll Meets Wine/Stags Leap