I. Summary
Company founded in 1966 by Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley, California
Company vision to make California a recognized wine producing region alongside great winemaking regions of Europe
Major focus on technology and wine growing techniques
Production of premium to super ultra premium wines
Mondavi focuses on personal sales, wine competitions, and lavish parties to promote the wines rather than conventional advertising
Mondavi has a portfolio of premium to super ultra premium wines to fill various price points and niches in domestic wine market
1981 Opus One joint venture with Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Through 1980's and 1990's, Mondavi acquires many wineries and vineyards throughout California
Mondavi develops national following
Phylloxera (vine killing insects) begin to infiltrate California vineyards
1993, Mondavi, in need of capital due to extensive acquisition expenditures in previous decade plus the replanting costs, issues public shares
In the mid-1990's, Mondavi begins 3 joint ventures with a Chilean, an Italian, and French firms
Wine production in California accounts for more than 70% of wine consumed in America
Wines in America are sold through a three-tier distribution
100's of wineries emerge in California,
90% of Mondavi's revenues generated domestically II. Case Profile
Problem/Issues in Case
Managing multiple brands in the global markets
Maintaining domestic market share while foreign competitors enter U.S
Accurately forecasting demand and acquiring necessary wine grapes
Supporting Statements
By 1998 Mondavi has about 4% domestic market share (fifth largest)
U.S. wine exports make up only 4% in the international market places despite being the fourth largest producer of wine in the
Bibliography: Adams (1999), Adams Wine Handbook, Adams Business Media, New York, 1999. Appel, T. (1995). "Deal Closed for Tip Wineries Sale, Include Beringer, A Record," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, November 22, 1995. Gomberg-Fredrikson (1999), 1999 Annual Wine Industry Review, Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates, 703 Market Street, Suite 1602 San Francisco, CA 94103 Love, John M Mondavi, Robert (1998), Robert Mondavi Harvest of Joy – How the Good Life Became a Great Business. Orange County Register, "Investment Group to Buy Largest Winery in Sonoma", by Mark Evans, May 26, 1996. RMC, 2000a, Robert Mondavi Corporation, Caliterra Website "History of Caliterra" http://www.caliterra.com/history.html ____, 2000b, Robert Mondavi, Bank of America Securities Conference, Feb 16, 2000. ____, 1999a, Robert Mondavi Corporation, "Robert Mondavi Corporation 1999 Annual Report" and "405k" filing, June 1999. ____, 1999b, Robert Mondavi Corporation, 1999 Fourth Quarter Conference Call, http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=MOND&script=1100&layout=7 ____, "Big Firms, Less brands Seen Wine Industry 's Future," Reuters, Sept 17, 1999. ____, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, "Mondavi Overhaul: 36 Jobs To Be Cut," January 14, 1999. ____, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, "Wine World Completes Chateau St. Jean Buyout," April 9, 1996. Sinton, Peter (1999). "California Wines Quenching in the World", San Francisco Chronicle, January 23. U.S. Department of Commerce, 2000 National Trade Data Bank Wine Institute, 2000, Wine Institute, 425 Market Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco CA 94105, www.wineinstitute.org Wines & Vines (1999), Wine & Vines "And Now the Numbers", July. Wines & Vines (1999) Directory and Buyer 's Guide, Volume 79 (December), The Hearing Company, San Rafael, CA. World Vineyard, Grape, and Wine Report, 2000, California Wine Export Program: World Vineyard Grape and Wine Report, July 2000, 425 Market Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94105