September 2026: Letter from the Director
25th Anniversary of a Landmark Gift
It’s starting to feel like fall as the UC Davis campus comes alive again, with students moving back and starting classes next week. The new academic year brings new programs and annual favorites as we kick off a year-long celebration.
This year, we proudly celebrate the 25th anniversary of the landmark gift from Robert and Margrit Mondavi—a transformational legacy of giving that continues to shape UC Davis and inspire generations. Their extraordinary vision established the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, strengthened the Departments of Viticulture and Enology and Food Science and Technology, and created the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.
Twenty-five years later, their impact lives on through groundbreaking discoveries, exceptional student learning, world-class teaching and research, vibrant cultural experiences, and innovations that continue to shape the future of food, wine, and agriculture.
As the year progresses, we’ll continue to celebrate and share stories about the impact of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi gift on students, research and the landscape of the UC Davis campus.
Our annual TASTE Food and Wine Tasting fundraiser returns on October 10 for its 13th year! You’ll see our current list of vendors below and we’re adding more every day. It will be a beautiful evening of friends, colleagues, and community coming together at the Robert Mondavi Institute to celebrate what Robert Mondavi called the “Good Life,” a philosophy centered on enjoying meaningful social rituals, brought to life with good wine, good food, and the company of friends.
TASTE tickets go on sale on Monday, September 21 at noon. Tickets sell out quickly, so mark your calendars. We’ll send you a reminder on Monday with a link to purchase tickets.
Below, you’ll also see an article about the 50th anniversary of the Davis Farmers Market. Its formation was a revolutionary movement to connect consumers directly to farmers and helped shape the now well-known fresh flavors of California cuisine. In partnership with the UC Davis Library, we are building a Savor program to explore the history, impact and future of farmers markets in California. Save the date for Wednesday, October 28 at 5:00 pm. We'll share program details and tickets soon.
In September of last year, Terra Madre Americas brought together 163,000 visitors in Sacramento to learn about food, beverages, agriculture, biodiversity, and so much more. It is a free-to-the-public biannual international culinary convergence modeled after the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy. Next week, my colleagues and I will experience the original Terra Madre and I’ll speak on a panel titled Crossing Borders, Shaping Cultures: The Stories Behind Our Food. We hope to build domestic and international connections and learn how to contribute more to Terra Madre Americas in 2027 by showcasing UC Davis innovation and expertise.
Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting the Robert Mondavi Institute.
Cheers to the Good Life!
Sincerely,
Ned Spang
Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology
Ned Spang
Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology