DENVER, CO., 02/05/2025 – Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) concluded Access LIVE 2025 on a high note this morning, giving its prestigious Ray Herrmann H.E.R.O. Award to Michael Mondavi, Napa Valley icon and champion of the wine and spirits industry. The award was presented during the Closing General Session, where industry leaders gathered to honor Mondavi’s commitment to integrity, philanthropy and leadership.
The Ray Herrmann H.E.R.O. Award, created by WSWA and Breakthru Beverage Group and sponsored by Breakthru, celebrates industry figures who exemplify the defining values of Humanitarian, Ethical, Respectful and One-of-a-kind leadership — qualities Ray Herrmann embodied throughout his career. Each year, the award recipient is granted $20,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to making a lasting impact beyond business.
Honoring Industry Leaders Who Inspire
As he introduced Mondavi, Charlie Merinoff, Co-Chairman of Breakthru, celebrated both the award’s namesake and recipient — “two great leaders of this industry.” First, Merinoff reflected on Ray Herrmann’s incredible life, starting with his Army service in the South Pacific during World War II. Returning home, Herrmann started his civilian career as a street salesman in New York. Those early, formative years taught him the keys to success in the industry: “keeping your word, doing what you say and always delivering.”
From those humble beginnings, Herrmann rose through the industry ranks, holding key leadership positions at National Distillers, Schieffelin & Somerset (now Moët Hennessy), and McKesson’s wine and spirits division. “Ray was a real H.E.R.O.,” Merinoff continued. “He mentored so many people, cared for so many people.”
Merinoff then turned his attention to this year’s H.E.R.O. Award honoree, Michael Mondavi. “Michael is a visionary, winemaker, industry leader, tireless advocate for the wine spirits industry,” he said. “As many of you know, Michael Mondavi is the name synonymous for excellence in wine making.”
Highlighting Michael Mondavi’s remarkable ability to forge personal connections, Merinoff shared how Mondavi consistently takes the time to reach out to others — whether to celebrate achievements or address industry challenges — with thoughtful, heartfelt messages. This genuine and caring approach, he said, has made a lasting impact on those around him, reinforcing his reputation as both a leader and a mentor.
“Michael Mondavi, like Ray Herrmann, has dedicated his life to making not only our industry better, but the world better,” Merinoff concluded.
Leadership, Innovation, and Giving Back
In the beverage industry, Michael Mondavi is a name synonymous with excellence in winemaking. As co-founder of the Robert Mondavi Winery, he helped elevate Napa Valley into a globally recognized wine region. His entrepreneurial vision led to the creation of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate, a company rooted in sustainability, family values, and a deep respect for the land.
In 2004, Mondavi launched Folio Fine Wine Partners, a company dedicated to supporting family-owned wineries worldwide, ensuring that independent wine producers thrive in a competitive market. Beyond his business ventures, he has been an influential advocate for the industry, holding leadership positions with organizations such as the Napa Valley Vintners and the Wine Institute.
However, what sets Mondavi apart is his dedication to philanthropy and mentorship. His contributions extend far beyond winemaking — he has supported education, community development and charitable initiatives, making him a true reflection of the values that make a H.E.R.O.
Gratitude and Reflection
As Michael Mondavi took the stage to accept the award, the audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation — recognizing not only his contributions to the wine industry but also his commitment to mentorship, integrity and business ethics. “Charlie, thank you,” Mondavi began. “This is an absolute honor to receive this award.”
“For more than 60 years of my wine career, Ray Herrmann was certainly one of my heroes,” he said. Mondavi recalled first meeting Herrmann in the mid-1960s when Ray was with Schieffelin & Somerset and his father, Robert Mondavi, was leading Charles Krug Winery. Even in those early days, Mondavi recognized the qualities that set Herrmann apart. “Ray was the only distributor and businessperson my father actually liked, respected and truly trusted,” he said.
Herrmann’s influence on Mondavi’s career grew even stronger through the years. When Herrmann joined McKesson Wine & Spirits, Mondavi transitioned into a leadership role in the family business, and Ray became his mentor and coach. “He assisted me in making key, critical decisions,” Mondavi noted.
“The joke at our winery was that whenever my father returned from an overseas trip, my job description would change. It was Ray who helped me through that.” He fondly recalled calling Herrmann for advice, telling him, “Ray, Dad’s driving me crazy. He wants me to change my role again. What should I do?” Herrmann’s response was always the same: “Michael, be patient. Just do the right thing, and it will work out.”
Mondavi credited Herrmann with teaching him the value of patience, integrity and long-term thinking. According to Michael, Herrmann was one of the few people in the industry who understood the delicate dynamics of multi-generational companies. "Ray helped my father and me work together in a much more positive way," Mondavi reflected. “My father had the vision and determination, but my mother, Marjorie, instilled in us the values. She made sure that what we did was proper and the right thing to do.”
A Commitment to the Next Generation
Mondavi concluded his speech by emphasizing the values of mentorship and community support—principles instilled in him by both Herrmann and his mother, Marjorie. “Ray was not just a great mentor; he was a forward thinker,” he said. “If he were here today, facing the challenges of our industry, I know he would tell us: Be patient, take care of our customers, take care of each other, make the right decisions — but above all, stay true to our values and our vision.”
Honoring his mother’s lifelong dedication to education, Mondavi said, "on a personal note, one of the values that my mother Marjorie held dear was to support the children of our employees in their continued education because it was the RIGHT thing to do. With that in mind, it's a pleasure to donate the $20,000 gift to the WSWA Education Foundation and Robert Qualls Scholarship Fund for hospitality employees, and to match it with another $20,000 gift in my mother's name."
A True Industry Icon
In recognizing Michael Mondavi with the 2025 Ray Herrmann H.E.R.O. Award, WSWA honored not just a pioneer in winemaking but a leader whose career has been defined by mentorship, integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
On the final day of Access LIVE 2025, Mondavi’s recognition serves as a reminder of the industry’s potential to create meaningful change, both through excellence in business and a commitment to giving back. WSWA congratulates Michael Mondavi for his extraordinary leadership, philanthropy and lasting impact on the wine and spirits world.
For more information on the WSWA Ray Herrmann H.E.R.O. Award and Access LIVE 2025, visit https://www.accesslive.wswa.org/.