The Mondavi Tour begins with a short explanation of the proccess of wine making, from growing and caring for the grapes, through harvest, fermentation, aging, and bottling.

During the introduction our host and guide (his name is Ralph Warner, by the way, and he conducts a delightful and most informative session!), let us know that Robert Mondavi himself was on the grounds that day, having lunch with his grand-daughter. The guide told us that Mr. Mondavi is indeed getting on in age, and, since his 80th birthday, he is in the habit of kissing every woman he meets!

With that, we were off to the vineyards.

The tour begins in the To-Kalon Vineyard, one of the winery's oldest and finest. They have prepared a path that leads us out among the vines, where we learn about the grape growing and tending process...