Have you ever been interested in how Mondavi became the biggest, best known and most profitable winery in the world? If you answered yes, or if you're at all interested in wine and how it comes to a bottle near you, the House of Mondavi should be a must read.
The book in many ways is a historical document which follows the travels of both the Mondavi family itself and Napa California in general across multiple generations and iterations of wineries and names.
Although I look back at the book with a certain sadness as truthfully most of the characters and people involved with the family end up unhappy for one reason or another, it is an outstanding read and it makes one understand much better why the family chose to make the types of decisions that they did along the line.
From humble roots in Italy, to a small winery named Charles Krug we see Robert Mondavi struggle in attempting to please the general public's rapidly changing concept of American wine as well as his mother who eventually turns again him effectively forcing him to begin his own winery, Mondavi.
We are able to gain a front row seat at the wine trial of the century when literally the entire family sued Robert over the beginnings of his new winery and we see Joe Alioto trying the case at the same time he is acting as mayor of San Francisco.
Lastly we are able to follow the tragic steps which led the board of directors to end up selling the brand and winery to wall street and has caused Robert's children to lose the rights to use their own names on any future wine related projects.
Through the many ups and many more downs the family experienced through the years Julie Flynn Siler published perhaps the classic Napa story at many times in the words of those whom were there.
While the novel is historical in nature, it does not come across as dry or boring and it is an enjoyable read throughout.
One aspect of the novel which I did find appealing is that even with all of Robert's faults through the book Siler takes the time to detail his many and varied charitable donations, which in many ways he attempted to keep private.
If you're a wine drinker, or have ever tried a Mondavi wine I highly suggest this book which can show how unusual a place the wine industry can be.