Robert Mondavi Makes Big Donation to Napa Cultural Center

Kim Marcus
Posted: March 22, 1999

Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi has donated $20 million to help build his long-held dream: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. When the center open its doors -- scheduled to take place in the fall of 2001 -- it will be one of the largest educational complexes of its type in the world.

Mondavi announced his gift early this month as part of the official fundraising kickoff for the $70 million project, which is slated to break ground in downtown Napa, Calif., on June 1. It will cover a total of 12 acres adjacent to the Napa River and will include an 80,000-square-foot main pavilion, exhibition galleries, 3.5 acres of gardens and a 500-seat outdoor amphitheater. The center will host seminars and lectures as well as tastings of wine and food.

"The project is a culmination of my lifelong professional dream to create a center that will celebrate and study Americas unique contribution to food, wine, their history and the arts and humanities," Mondavi said. He first proposed the center in 1988 and has worked since then to make it a reality.

In addition to Mondavis $20 million gift, another $17 million has already been raised to help build the center. Peggy Loar, director of the center, said an additional $30 million, needed to cover the remaining construction and endowment costs, will be the focus of an international fundraising campaign.