Press Release
Posted:
Napa, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) formally announced Magrit Mondavi as the recipient of a special, posthumous Woman of the Year Award. In February, Thompson accepted nominations from across the Fifth Congressional District for his annual awards honoring women who make an impact in our community. In light of Mondavi’s lifelong devotion to our community and the arts, Thompson presented a special recognition to her daughter, Annie Roberts.
“Magrit was known throughout our district as the First Lady of Napa,” said Thompson. “Her work at Mondavi Winery helped put us on the map and her Summer Concert Series attracted artists and musicians from around the world. As she and her husband made their business a tremendous success, Magrit always made a point to give back, endowing the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science and the Mondavi Center for Performing Arts at the University of California – Davis. Magrit’s lifelong passion for the arts will live on in the next generation of winemakers, chefs, and artists.”
Mondavi was also known for organizing cooking classes that paired Mondavi wines with the finest in French and American food. She was the co-author of Annie and Magrit: Recipes and Stories from the Mondavi Kitchen, which she wrote with her daughter, Roberts. She passed away in September of 2016.
This is the third annual Woman of the Year Awards. Thompson created the award in honor of Women’s History Month. Each year, one woman from the each of the counties in the Fifth Congressional District is recognized for her contributions to our community. A complete list of this year’s winners follows:
- Sylvia Villa-Serrano (Contra Costa County)
- Madelene Lyon (Lake County)
- Karen Cakebread (Napa County)
- Dr. Rhonda Renfro (Solano County)
- Ronit Rubino (Sonoma County)
- Magrit Mondavi (special posthumous award presented to her daughter, Annie Roberts)
- Sylvia Villa-Serrano (Contra Costa County)
- Madelene Lyon (Lake County)
- Karen Cakebread (Napa County)
- Dr. Rhonda Renfro (Solano County)
- Ronit Rubino (Sonoma County)
- Magrit Mondavi (special posthumous award presented to her daughter, Annie Roberts)