Mondavi brothers make wine together again

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Tim Mondavi remembers going with his father when he first presented the idea of an auction to Napa Valley vintners and getting reactions ranging from "There goes crazy Bob again!" to "What a great idea!"

The idea stuck, raising more than $50 million for local health care, housing and other causes over the years. The event hit a high of $9.5 million in 2000, but totals since then have dropped. Last year, the auction brought in about $5 million.

By the time the auction was founded, in 1981, the Mondavis had already split apart.

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The Mondavi story goes back to 1906 when family patriarch Cesare Mondavi moved from Italy to Minnesota. The family later moved to California and got into the grape business, buying the Krug winery in the Napa Valley in 1943.

For 20 years, the winery was a family business. But Robert and Peter, the younger brother by 14 months, clashed frequently. Robert Mondavi had ambitious plans for the winery; Peter Mondavi had a more conservative style. According to Robert Mondavi's autobiography "Harvests of Joy," matters came to a head in November 1965 when the brothers got into a fist fight at Krug.

"When it was all over, there were no apologies and no handshake," wrote Robert Mondavi.

Instead came a fierce court battle that ended with Robert founding his namesake winery in 1966, starting over at age 52.

Robert Mondavi went on to become a world-renowned champion of Napa Valley wines, pioneering new technology and spreading a message that California wines could compete with the French greats.

Peter Mondavi, the quieter brother, remained the head of Krug, running it with his family.

Over time, Peter and Robert Mondavi reconciled. But it appeared the 1965 vintage at Krug would be the last for the brothers.

Until now.

"This story, really," says Tim Mondavi, "is about these two brothers that have committed their lives to great wine in Napa Valley."

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