Robert Mondavi, the man who put California on the global wine map, died Friday at the age of 94.

But Mondavi leaves a legacy far greater than just that winery. For years, he captured the imaginations of wine producers, urging them to compete with the world’s best, and of wine drinkers, opening their eyes to how this simple beverage could enrich their daily lives.

“It’s possible that had there been no Robert Mondavi, there would be no California wine industry as we know it,” said Vic Motto of Global Wine Partners, a wine investment banking firm in St. Helena.

I had the chance to visit the beautiful Napa Valley a couple of years ago.  It is very beautiful and a very vital part of California’s economy.  Mondavi will be missed but I have a feeling that thousands of people will be turning a glass of wine up in his honor for decades to come.