OBITUARY MARGRIT BIEVER MONDAVI

MARGRIT BIEVER MONDAVI, 91
The widow of California wine pioneer Robert G. Mondavi passed away on September 2. The Swiss-born Mondavi joined Robert Mondavi Winery in 1967, a year after it was founded. The Mondavis were among pioneering Napa Valley producers who helped turn the agricultural area northeast of San Francisco into a world-renowned wine growing region. Margrit, an accomplished painter, had a dream of combining wine with fine art, music and food. She founded the winery’s Summer Music Festival in 1969 as a benefit for the local symphony. A winter classical music series was created later to benefit local music organizations. Additionally, Mondavi introduced cooking classes that evolved into a “Great Chefs” series. She and her husband also endowed arts centers and schools and a local opera house.