The House of Mondavi

The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty

By: Julia Flynn Siler

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 17 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in California's lush Napa Valley and spanning four generations of a talented and visionary family, The House of Mondavi is a tale of genius, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. From 1906, when Italian immigrant Cesare Mondavi passed through Ellis Island, to the Robert Mondavi Corporation's 21st-century battle over a billion-dollar fortune, award-winning journalist Julia Flynn Siler brings to life both the place and the people in this riveting family drama.

The blood feuds are as spectacular as the business triumphs. Cesare's sons, Robert and Peter, literally came to blows in the 1960s during a dispute touched off by the purchase of a mink coat, resulting in Robert's exile from the family - and his subsequent founding of a winery that would set off a revolution in American winemaking. Robert's sons, Michael and Timothy, as passionate in their own ways as their visionary father, waged battles with each other for control of the company before Michael's expansive ambitions ultimately led to a board coup and the sale of the business to an international conglomerate.

A meticulously reported narrative based on thousands of hours of interviews, The House of Mondavi is bound to become a classic.

©2007 Julia Flynn Siler (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

" The House of Mondavi's cast rivals that of the 1980s wine-country melodrama Falcon Crest, with episodes of sex, violence, greed, envy, nepotism, and betrayal...[and] a King Lear-like storyline." ( Wine Spectator Online)

Great book on Robert Mondavi

This is a great book for anyone looking for a detailed history on the Napa wine region, the Mondavi family and Robert Mondavi wines - the subjects on which it focuses. Peter Mondavi and Charles Krug are not covered as much as I would have hoped, but the story is still engaging and worth the read. I would recommend this to anyone interested in wine and/or business.

Great history of California wines.

If you are interested in wine and how California became such a large producer of wine, this is for you. It is very detail heavy, but it was intriguing to see how the wine industry in Napa was started.

an American Saga

What a story. Boy meets girl and marry. Couple builds family and migrate to Napa. Children carry on the business, engage in a fist fight and in courtroom battle. Two families part ways, each build wineries and empires. Grandchildren take over and deliver revenues, bitter divorces, corporate drama, collapse of wine empire, reunion, joint venture to make wine, sold in stratospheric price at auction. Never did I finish a book with a happy ending.

The House of Mondavi

It started out, in the first book, as very interesting although the reader needs more experience. Then it became repetitive and boring. I didn't end up finishing the story although I would have liked to have heard the ending but I just couldn't go on. Linda

Really Interesting Read!

I never knew the background of the Mondavi family and this book shed so many interesting details of their family history, California winemaking as well comparisons between French wines.

beyond the vines

This book provided a very deep dive into the history of the Mondavi family, and its rise and fall in the wine business. Full of details, you get a great taste of the family dynamics as well as a glimpse into how the wine industry works. Solid narration and well flowing story.

If you like Die Hard

You will love this book. So similar in so many ways. Yippie Ky yaay mo fo!

A good book, but dated

Although this book was recently written, it carried a distinct shroud over it on how they spoke about women. They introduce every woman by either mentioning her looks or her outfit, never her accomplishments. “Margaret, with her stunning orange silk skirt, sat next to her brother, who recently began a new venture....”. I enjoyed the story, not the author.

Loved it!

great story with lots of drama an unexpected surprises! They must listen... Especially for wine lovers!

Honest review

I love this story. I’m saddened by the rate, tone and speed of the vocals f this story. I am very particular with who I listen to. Initially I thought that would be a great voice. It’s not. It’s too fast and does not pay attention to the actual story flow. I’m saddened but since