Robert Mondavi

It is giving me a great satisfaction, because I had the notion that we could make great wines equal to the greatest wines in the world, and everybody said it was impossible.

If you go back to the Greeks and Romans, they talk about all three - wine, food, and art - as a way of enhancing life.

I want to make wines that harmonize with food - wines that almost hug your tongue with gentleness.

I say to consumers: instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink.

Wine to me is passion. Its family and friends. Its warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. Its culture. Its the essence of civilization and the art of living.

I've always wanted to improve on the idea of living well, In moderation, wine is good for you - mentally, physically, and spiritually.

We definitely need to get the excitement back.

Even more importantly, it's wine, food and the arts. Incorporating those three enhances the quality of life.

Once I was able to take care of myself and my children, I then wanted to share.

Critics have done the wine industry a lot of good overall.

This is what I think is very essential... moderation can be good for you.

Also, many consumers consider a critic to be like God Almighty.

We want to raise the art of living well.

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to excel in everything.

Wine has been with civilized man from the beginning.

Later, at Stanford University, I thought I'd become a lawyer or businessman, but my father came to me and said he thought there was a big future in the fine-wine business.

My wife taught me the importance of living well.

I always knew that food and wine were vital, with my mother being Italian and a good cook.

My brother and I had saved $15,000 by working many years nailing fruit crates together.

Whether I played marbles, whether I played football or slam anything else, I wanted to excel.

How beautiful it is to excel, and the goodness of giving from your heart.

As I traveled the world over, I traveled everywhere, and I learned so much.

There are a lot of people with a lot of money, and I'm amazed they don't understand what a great pleasure it can be to give.

I always knew the importance of it, since I was three or four years old my mother used to feed me wine and water. I grew up with wine as liquid food.

My mother served me wine and water from the time I was 3 years old.

Making good wine is a skill. Fine wine is an art.