Genevieve Janssens Named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Congratulations to Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking for Robert Mondavi Winery, for being named 2010 Wine Star Winemaker of the Year! The Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star awards are one of the industry's highest honors and Janssens was one of five winemakers nominated for the 2010 award.

“It is an honor to be given this title and especially to have been nominated in the company of winemakers whom I very much admire,” said Janssens. “I am proud to be the torchbearer of Mr. Mondavi’s vision and the steward of our To Kalon Vineyard."

Raised in France, Genevieve’s formal wine education began under the tutelage of the legendary "three fathers" of modern enology—Jean Ribereau-Gayon; his son, Pascal Ribereau-Gayon; and Emile Peynaud—with whom she studied at the University of Bordeaux, France. She began her relationship with Robert Mondavi Winery in 1978 as an enologist and then continued to explore winemaking in California for the next decade through several consulting positions. In 1989 she became Director of Production at Opus One Winery and in 1997 she was named Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery. She now continues the traditions of her mentor Robert Mondavi by creating wines that stand in the company of the worlds finest.

Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star awards recognize excellence in the wine and spirits industry, with a special emphasis on achievements made over the past year. Janssens will be honored, along with other award recipients, at the annual Wine Star Awards gala dinner on Monday, January 24, 2011 at the New York Public Library in New York City.