Renovated Robert Mondavi Winery in 2026 – Architects Maintain Famous Arch and Bell Tower
Adam Potts
In the wine world, Robert Mondavi (1913–2008) has long been considered a visionary who helped bring Napa Valley fine wines to the global stage. Part of that legacy has to do with the impressive visitor center he established in 1966. Located in the center of Napa Valley, along the famous Highway 29, its soaring bell tower and elegant stucco arch have long been a welcoming beacon for millions of visitors over the years.
So, after 60 years, it was probably time for a makeover, and this Spring 2026, the famous Robert Mondavi Winery opened its doors to visitors again after a $200 million renovation that took three years to complete.
“We now offer visitor experiences that peel back the curtain to give guests a behind-the-scenes look at the production spaces and our winemaking team at work,” Kurtis Ogasawara, Head Winemaker of the Robert Mondavi Winery, told me during my recent visit to the winery.
Over the 25 years I’ve lived in the Napa/Sonoma wine region, I have visited Robert Mondavi Winery more than two dozen times for various events, tours through the famous To Kalon Vineyard, and bringing many visitors for wine tasting. Therefore, it was exciting to see the extensive renovations they have completed while preserving the integrity of Robert Mondavi’s vision.
The first thing that struck me as I entered and stood beneath the wide, sweeping stucco arch was how open and expansive everything appeared. There is now a clear view to the famous To Kalon Vineyard (considered to be one of the Grand Cru vineyards of Napa Valley), with the massive Mayacamas Mountains rising behind the vineyard.
According to Peggy Hemphill, Brand Marketing Director at Robert Mondavi Winery, that is the intent—to make the famous vineyard the star of the show.
“Once you pass through reception and enter the new building, your eyes are immediately drawn to the historic To Kalon vines and the Mayacamas Mountains, the very elements that will ensure this winery continues to produce incredible wine for decades to come,” stated Peggy.
From the center of the arch, the renovated building spans out in two separate directions, like the wings of a great bird. To the left are the reception, the retail shop, and a series of indoor and outdoor tasting rooms. To the right are the wine library, more tasting rooms, the special To Kalon Collective tasting rooms, and the large, state-of-the-art winery.
The layout seems to surround you in a welcoming hug while encouraging exploration of the gardens, vineyards, retail shop, and many tasting nooks.
“Every detail was designed to encourage people to slow down, connect, and immerse themselves in the valley’s beauty. Seeing our guests experience that ‘wow’ moment the second they step into the new space is incredibly rewarding,” stated Peggy.
Tasting Room Overlooking To Kalon Vineyard at Renovated Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley
Adam PottsRenovation Elements of Robert Mondavi Winery
After offering me a glass of welcome wine, Kurtis and Peggy invited me to tour the facilities to see the renovations that have taken place to the 215,844-square-foot building. Aidlin Darling Design was the architecture firm hired to enhance Clifford May’s original 1966 design. Surfacedesign Inc. was responsible for laying out the stunning outdoor gardens, using native grasses and flowers as part of a sustainability and water-saving focus.
Major renovations include:
Repurposed Arch & Tower: Lovingly restored to its original glory and repurposed with a welcoming lounge and wine library.Hospitality Wing: An expanded 16,600 square feet of hospitality space that includes a renovated reception, retail gallery, tasting terraces, courtyard, and culinary building with interactive gardens and an indoor-outdoor wine tasting and dining veranda.Winemaking Wing: Updated with state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and barrel cellars (see details below).Employee Offices: Offices for all employees were updated with fresh, modern décor and ergonomic and sustainability considerations, along with the development of a new “Town Hall” for community use.Expansive Gardens & Landscapes: It is impossible to miss the abundant native grasses that surround the property, attracting beneficial birds and insects, such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. There is also a To Kalon Bowl amphitheater, heritage oaks, water features, gardens, and many beckoning pathways so that visitors can explore the famous To Kalon Vineyard.
While Robert Mondavi Winery has not announced a formal sustainability certification for its newly renovated estate, the $200 million transformation incorporates numerous sustainability features, including solar energy, water reuse systems, extensive reuse of original building materials, and a modernized winery designed for greater efficiency.
In addition, the iconic To Kalon Vineyard is now certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), along with the historic Wappo Vineyard in the Stags Leap District AVA of Napa Valley.
Was the $200 Million Robert Mondavi Winery Renovation Worth It?
Many people know that Robert Mondavi Winery is part of Constellation Brands, a publicly traded company that sells beer, wine, and spirits. But with Constellation’s revenue declining approximately 10% to $9.14 billion in fiscal 2026 (ended Feb. 28, 2026), investing $200 million in a winery renovation might seem counterintuitive.
Plus, there have been other reports that winery tasting room visits have declined over the past several years in Napa Valley, so will a return on investment be coming anytime soon?
I asked Kurtis and Peggy this question, and they responded from different viewpoints.
“Constellation Brands supported the renovation project from the very beginning because it wanted to honor Robert Mondavi’s legacy as a pioneer of the global wine industry and a passionate supporter of the Napa Valley community. The investment also demonstrates Constellation’s long-term commitment to Napa Valley and to the wine industry as a whole,” stated Kurtis.
“We also believe it will attract many visitors to the valley, who want to see and experience not only the food and wine, but the architecture and gardens,” added Peggy.
Their responses highlight that Constellation views the renovation as a long-term investment and a strong statement of support for the Napa Valley community, as well as for the enduring legacy of the Robert Mondavi brand as a global wine icon.
Kurtis Ogasawara, Head Winemaker of the Robert Mondavi Winery, in Renovated Winery
Adam PottsCutting-Edge New Equipment at Robert Mondavi Winery
As we entered the winemaking facilities, I gasped when I realized that the massive 16-ton oak fermentation tanks, which prior Chief Winemaker Geneviève Janssens had used for nearly three decades, were gone.
“What happened to the old wooden tanks?” I asked Kurtis.
He grinned and pointed overhead. Looking up, I saw a vast, shining oak ceiling.
“We repurposed them and turned them into wooden ceilings throughout the facility. In fact, we’ve tried to repurpose as much of the original material as we could while making sure we were outfitting the winery with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Kurtis.
He pointed out the new conical concrete tanks, optical sorters, basket presses, and stainless steel tanks in multiple sizes to provide them with the flexibility of fermenting small lots from different blocks or different varietals.
“This new equipment and technology allows us to have more precision and efficiency, and the smaller fermentation tanks allow us to honor the character of the land and specific vineyard blocks,” he explained.
The technology on the tanks now allows the winemakers to track fermentation progress, conduct automatic pump-overs, and adjust temperatures from their laptops.
Currently, they produce around 85,000 cases of the premium- and luxury-priced Robert Mondavi wines, having sold the larger production of the value-priced Robert Mondavi Private Selection and Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi brands to The Wine Group last year.
The renovated winery also includes several “micro wineries,” where they produce Constellation brands: Schrader, Double Diamond, To Kalon Wine Co., and Mt. Veeder. These brands are overseen by a separate winemaking team and have their own private tasting facility, called the “To Kalon Collective,” within the Robert Mondavi Winery.
Wines Featured in the Pioneer Tasting Experience at Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley
Adam PottsNew Visitor Experiences at Robert Mondavi Winery
Peggy explained that they currently offer six different visitor experiences, which can be reserved in advance online. However, visitors are also encouraged to simply drop by without a reservation to enjoy a glass of wine and experience the stunning architecture, gardens, and To Kalon Vineyard. There is also a retail shop where guests can purchase wine by the bottle and other merchandise.
Visitor tasting experiences start at $60 per person for the Pioneer Tasting and soar to $180 per person for the To Kalon Collective Experience. The Legends Tasting and Tour includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the winemaking facilities for $150 per person.
A particularly good value is the Mondavi Table Food and Wine Experience, where guests receive three small glasses of wine paired with three different courses for $95. It is served in a beautiful tasting area surrounded by gardens, a flowing stream, the chef’s garden, To Kalon Vineyard, and the Mayacamas Mountains in the distance.
This year, in honor of the 60th anniversary of Robert Mondavi Winery, visitors also have the opportunity to purchase a very special bottle of wine— the 2023 vintage 60th Anniversary Commemorative Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the winery’s two famous vineyards: the historic Wappo Hill Vineyard and the celebrated To Kalon Vineyard.
Highlights from the Robert Mondavi Wine Tasting
During my visit to Robert Mondavi Winery, we tasted a flight of five wines, and I was surprised by how complex and Bordeaux-like the Robert Mondavi 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was. Aged 17 months in 30% new French oak, it was beautifully balanced, with notes of blackberry, oregano, anise, and earthy loam, along with a textured palate and long finish. An amazing value at only $55 (94 points, Decanter).
Next was the Robert Mondavi 2021 The Estates Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, which was more fruit-forward, with red plum, cassis, and blueberry notes, along with lovely spice, black pepper, and tobacco on the palate. Very textured with plush tannins. Delightful. $105 (93 points, Wine Spectator).
A true treat was tasting the Robert Mondavi 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Vineyard. This wine is everything you could dream it would be, with a rich, velvety nose of crushed berries, cassis, and spice. It glides across the palate with concentrated, seductive silkiness, delivering notes of boysenberry, plum, chocolate, earth, and graphite. Aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months, followed by one year in bottle. I could meditate with this wine. $250 (97 points, Jeb Dunnuck).
We also tried two Sauvignon Blanc wines—a variety for which Robert Mondavi has long been known and one in which he was a true trailblazer. This is especially evident in the Robert Mondavi 2022 Estates Fumé Blanc—a crowd-pleaser with a floral nose, followed by bright grapefruit, lemon, and hints of dried pineapple on the palate. Very creamy, textured, and concentrated, with a long finish. Fermented entirely in small barrels with 8% Sémillon. $65 (94 points, Jeb Dunnuck).
The most complex wine of the tasting was the Robert Mondavi 2023 I Block Fumé Blanc. It is sourced from the special “I Block” in To Kalon Vineyard, which contains some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in Napa Valley, dating to 1945. This is a truly distinctive wine designed for connoisseurs. With a nose of chamomile, citrus, and dusty river rock, it opens to a fresh and complex palate of green guava, subtle herbs, and minerals. Linear and focused in mouthfeel, it is filled with energy, zest for life, and a refreshing citrus finish. $150 (club exclusive).
Famous To Kalon Vineyard View – Looking at the Renovated Robert Mondavi Winery
Adam Potts
Dining and Cooking