Joe Canal's Attends a Special Mondavi Luncheon

Thursdays the BottleBlog will feature an update on various exciting things going on at Joe Canal's: Reports of our travels, special event coverage, and more! Today we report on a very special luncheon attended by Mark Ricca and David Zinman.

On Wednesday November 3rd, 2010, Joe Canal's Woodbridge managers David Zinman and Mark Ricca had the pleasure of attending a luncheon and wine tasting with Michael Mondavi, son of the late Robert Mondavi. Michael has remained very active in producing, importing and advocating in the world of wine, and we were treated to his stories, visions for the future and opinions on many subjects related to wine.

The event took place at Fiorino Restaurante in Summit, NJ. David and I arrived a little early and took seats in the dining room. Seating was unassigned so we chose a table off to one side in clear view of what appeared to be the Host table. There was a table set with a selection of wines that Michael either makes, imports or represents. The rest of the guests began to arrive and take seats. The group totaled about 60 persons. Then the guest of honor walked in looking very fit and very dapper.

Prior to the sale of his family's wine business, Michael was the business arm of Robert Mondavi Family Wine, and his brother, Tim, was the winemaker. Michael greeted the group, thanking and welcoming us. As he spoke, wine was poured for us. I tasted his IM Chardonnay, named for his wife Isabel Mondavi. The wine was very much to my taste as it only showed the slightest kiss of oak, and the crisp, lively acidity and fruit were brilliant.

We were served four courses. First, a lovely Caprese Salad with fresh mozzarella, oven roasted tomatoes and peppers that was dressed with basil pesto. Second, was a traditional Pappardelle Bolognese. Broad noodles tossed with a rich and delicious meat and tomato sauce.

I chose my entrée, a pan roasted Monkfish loin, served with a red wine reduction and Canelline beans. This was followed by a delicious version of Tiramisu, and coffee.

As the food started to come out, Michael looked around the room, apparently for a place to sit and much to our delight, sat down at our table instantly making us the "cool kids." He spoke throughout the meal about various subjects, but my favorite was his response to my question. I asked him which of the "old school" California wine making families he still kept in touch with. This prompted him to look back to the days of his youth as he spoke fondly of Jack Cakebread, who he called a second father to him, and of Jack Davies of Schramsberg. He told us stories of him working with his father and the frustration of being forced to sell off the family business recently. All throughout, he was candid, forthright, and inspiring.

At one point during the meal though, he stopped to pay homage to another guest, Hubert Opici, the founder of Opici Wines. 94 years old, charming and lively, Michael spoke of the friendship between the Opici family and his own.

The afternoon was capped off by a tasting of Michael's flagship wine, "M". A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted to be a wine of similar stature as the great wines he had helped create in the past such as Opus One, and Robert Mondavi Private Reserve Cabernet, this was all that. Deep ruby in color, rich in complexity, and full of power and finesse, this is truly a powerhouse that shows what Michael has learned about winemaking.

Overall it was an excellent time. Great food, wine, and conversation with one of the great figures in the wine world, who showed that he is not content to rest on past glories, but will continue to forge new paths.