Set at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, the Robert Mondavi Winery is a place of history and legacy. Aidlin Darling Design and Surfacedesign, in collaboration with a team of experts and innovators, were tasked with defining the contemporary manifestation of this legacy. Rooted in and inspired by the site, the design unveils a new visitor experience—one centered on the vineyard, the valley and the mountains that define this very special place. Instilled with the intent of the original Cliff May building, the new design centers around and celebrates the Arch and Tower as the historic heart of the property—the threshold between the vines and the valley. The reverse gable of the new hospitality wing evokes the roofline of the Arch and begins a new chapter in the story of the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery.

The concept for the landscape at Robert Mondavi Winery begins with an exploration of the geological processes that have shaped the regional landscape of Napa and drew the innovative winemaker Robert Mondavi to the place. The conditions that make the region ideal for viticulture (a trifecta of soil, topography, and climate) are the results of millions of years of dramatic geological events: plate convergence, seismic movement, sea level oscillation, volcanic activity, weathering, and erosion. Mondavi and the Napa Valley lie in a zone of strike slip faults associated with the San Andreas fault. The formation of the Mayacamas Mountains and the layers of inland seafloor sediment, volcanic ash and pumice and flows of basalt are evidence of the region’s rich geological history. Deposits of alluvial sediment have made the valley particularly fertile, with a groundwater aquifer that drains into the Napa River.

Robert Mondavi Winery offers visitors an authentic connection to the Napa Valley through the hospitality experience. Stretching the habitat of the coast live oak and the valley oak, the design team reintroduced these endemic trees and their accompanying habitat to enhance the experience of being on the Valley floor for winetasting guests. The architecture and landscape shape a tasting experience that reflects the terroir and innovative techniques that are the hallmark of Robert Mondavi Winery.

Guests are invited to discover verdant garden rooms and float above the vineyards in the tasting rooms and terraces or descend into the vineyard. The To Kalon Bowl creates a new heart for the property. With views out to the Mayacamas beyond, new native oaks frame a series of seating areas and garden paths. A series of landforms shape the bowl and frame the view of the Mayacamas beyond, recalling the geological legacy of the land. Stewardship of the land is a core principle that is revealed with each guest experience. Water treatment and reuse is celebrated at multiple stages through a series of bioretention gardens that weave through the architecture and reveal the reuse and treatment of roof and stormwater runoff. Rich native and adapted Mediterranean plants showcase seasonal color and texture as guests wander the grounds of the historic winery. A rigorous soil restoration program building upon the rich existing Mondavi loam will create a foundation for a landscape that is both immersive and regenerative. The winery became Napa Green certified during the construction of the new winery and landscape, reflecting the winery’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing and regenerative agricultural practices. 

Location: Oakville, CA

Status: completed 2026

Project Type: Winery

Client: Constellation Brands, Inc.

Collaborators: Aidlin Darling Design, Cello & Maudru, BAMO, BAR, EJA, Summit Engineering, TEP Engineering

Photography: Marion Brenner