Harvests of Joy: How the Good Life Became Great Business

by Robert Mondavi and Paul Chutkow

Book Overview

In this autobiography of the founder of the internationally celebrated winery in Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi shares his inspirational story.

In 1965, after a notorious family feud, Robert Mondavi--then 52 years old-- was thrown out of his family's winery. Far from defeated, Mondavi was dedicated to a vision of creating a superior wine.

What has happened since that fateful day is one of the greatest sucess stories of American business. The Robert Mondavi Winery is respected around the world, and Mondavi is the man who is most responsible for the worldwide recognition of American winemaking, as well as changing America's palate for fine wine and fine food.

In Harvests of Joy, Mondavi shares how, through his passion for excellence, he achieved this extraordinary position, one he reached not without pain and sacrifice. With invaluable insider tips on his approach to both winemaking and to running a business, Mondavi's story is "a grand example of the fact that in America you can pretty much be, do, or accomplish whatever you set out to." (Ventura County Star)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156010569
• ISBN13: 9780156010566
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Wine, Money, Real Estate, Love and Life...This is it!

This is a fascinating tell of Mr.Mondavi's first life and his second life. His first life begins with his growing up on his family's vineyard. His second life, and where the real story begins, is his having to break away from the family, in his 40's, and start all over again from scratch.Everyone knows Sam Walton's late entreperneurial start, more people should know Mr.Mondavi's story. By all accounts he was the father of the Napa Valley boom and every bit of the story is riveting.I was thoroughly impressed by this work and learned a prime lesson on individuality. Mr.Mondavi had a dream that was counter to his family and he could do nothing but pursue it. He had to set the trend and he did. Wine lovers around the world should be grateful to him.Thanks Mr.Mondavi, this book was really a Harvest of Joy.

Inspirational

Besides being a well written and interesting story to read, the fact that Mr. Mondavi started a new business adventure at the age of 52 is very inspirational to any entrepeneur.His passion for high quality and his vision for the wine industry brought a new dimension to this activity, not only in the Napa Valley, but also, in far away places as Chile.I enjoyed very much the reading and the honest advices that Mr. Mondavi gathered in 85 years.

"Wine is Life".

"Wine is Life". With this small but powerful quote from Petronius, Robert Mondavi begins a tale of himself that speaks to many of the virtues of being Italian: hard work, passion, and family. Mr. Mondavi spins for us a tale of his parents origins as poor Italian farm workers who came over to America in search of the Great Dream and how out of this dream he arose to create one of the most well known and respected wineries in the world today. He talks of how he took all of the principles he learned from his humble beginnings and transformed them into a business model, which has driven his passion for excellence and perfection. From the very beginning he had a vision - to make America stand as the best in the realm of fine wines. In this vision he ended succeeding a way he never dreamed. His book reads like a fine glass of Chianti - bit by bit you sip it and savor the flavor of each passing moment. He is an inspiration to all Italians and Italian Americans trying to succeed in the world of business today. A must read!

Mr. Mondavi's book reads like one of his fine wines.

Its colorful, intriguing, and satisfying. I began reading it on a Sunday and I couldn't put it down, finishing it Monday morning. So much of what he says has direct relevance to life in general. Mr. Mondavi takes you through the good and the bad as he tries and succeeds at being "The Best." He's not afraid to admit his mistakes but best of all, he encourages us that its never to late to learn from them.His upbringing, dedication to family, hard work, love of food, wine and the arts as well as an appreciation for what really "matters" all contribute to this fascinating book. What an inspiration! What a wonderful life!

Mondavi: a passionate visionary in pursuit of excellence.

Robert Mondavi's passion for excellence is the catalist that splits a family apart, builds an empire, and brings California wines the world wide recognition they deserve. He shares the many lessons he has learned about business and life. At 85 years young he continues to pursue his passion and enjoy the "Italian way" of life. Salute to a man who is "as good as gold"!