Every town has its legendary families (the Gettys, the Trainas, the Newsoms), and in Napa Valley, one reigns supreme: the Mondavis.
From the 1960s until his death, Robert Mondavi was the godfather of wine country lifestyle, complete with wineries, philanthropy, lavish parties, a legendary family and a life of glamorous excess. And this July, his 85-year-old widow Margrit will release a "frank," tell-all memoir.
Reportedly, the memoir, ghost-written by author Janet Fletcher, candidly outlines Mondavi's life with Robert, her art and lifestyle and her inside tales of the Napa Valley wine business.
"Margrit has some fantastic tales of being in the wine business and her life with Mr. Mondavi and can't wait to share them," said Spokeswoman Anne Baker-Siegel to The Huffington Post.
According to Decanter, the book will even contain details of the Mondavis' legendary parties, including the famous Roman orgy-themed dinner party they hosted at their Wappo Hill home in the 1980s. (Sadly, it wasn't that kind of orgy.)
Decanter reported that the "orgy" was a lavish costumed dinner party, complete with togas and laurel wreaths, a 15-course dinner, surely endless wine and "a purple sash for Mr. Mondavi so that he looked like Caesar."
"The party lasted until four or five in the morning," said Baker-Siegel to Decanter. The dinner was an auction item that sold for $56,000. Sounds to us like it was worth every penny.
Mondavi and her spokespeople are mum for now on the rest of the details. But one thing is certain: we can't wait for July.