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About

Pronounced “rain”, our name reminds us that wine was rain first.

It only becomes wine in our vineyards after being filtered by the rocks taken back up by the vines and sweetened by the sun. The unique spelling is our society and ethos, which is translated to Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally.

As fourth generation winemakers and farmers, Carlo and Dante Mondavi attribute a great deal of what they have learned to their grandfather Robert and father Tim, both whom influenced them from a young age.

Carlo and Dante’s father Tim was a pioneer for California Pinot Noir in the early 1970s, always with a tremendous regard for the great wines of Burgundy. Carlo and Dante credit their father’s passion for Pinot Noir as their earliest inspiration. They also consider their father their first teacher in beyond-organic farming, an approach they've followed as a family of farmers for decades, and Carlo and Dante consider themselves ‘winegrowers’ rather than winemakers. 

Tim Slides

Tim with father Robert Mondavi

Today, Carlo and Dante and their small team continue to dedicate themselves to the founding ethos of RAEN in 2013 – farming prized, coastal sites with the utmost respect for Nature to produce limited bottlings that are expressive of site and can sit alongside the world’s finest. 

Carlo and the RAEN team began the Monarch Challenge in 2016 as an effort to bring awareness to clean farming practices, with the vision of a future of farming in Sonoma, Napa and beyond that protects the biodiversity and life of our planet. Their Freestone Occidental vineyard is a wildlife rescue release site, home to a released bobcat and fox, and is certified organic. Carlo has become a leading voice and activist within the industry, and is also the Co-Founder of the Monarch Tractor, the solution to the Monarch Challenge.

Carlo and Dante in front of barrels

Dante Mondavi, Melanie McIntyre (winemaker), and Carlo Mondavi

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History

If it were not for the dreams of our forefathers...

if it were not for their distant desire and steadfast determination…

If it were not for the dreams of our forefathers...

if it were not for their distant desire and steadfast determination…

Carlo and Dante Mondavi sorting through grapes.
2013

2013 Founding Raen

Carlo and Dante Mondavi found RAEN winery on the western boundaries of the Sonoma Coast.

2013 Founding Raen

Carlo and Dante Mondavi found RAEN winery on the western boundaries of the Sonoma Coast.

Large barrel room.
2005

2005 Continuum Estate

Tim and Marcia Mondavi and their families, along with Carlo and Dante’s Grandfather Robert Mondavi found Continuum Estate to produce a single estate wine at the highest level.

2005 Continuum Estate

Tim and Marcia Mondavi and their families, along with Carlo and Dante’s Grandfather Robert Mondavi found Continuum Estate to produce a single estate wine at the highest level.

New Beginnings
2004

2004 New Beginnings

The Mondavi family unexpectedly sells all ownership in Robert Mondavi winery. Robert, Tim and Marcia begin plans for a new estate winery and vineyard.

2004 New Beginnings

The Mondavi family unexpectedly sells all ownership in Robert Mondavi winery. Robert, Tim and Marcia begin plans for a new estate winery and vineyard.

A picture of a group of people stomping grapes with their feet.
1996

1996 Dante & Carlo Begin

Dante & Carlo begin working with wine at Robert Mondavi and Opus One. This begins their education in wine, learning from their father Tim, the winegrower and grandfather Robert.

1996 Dante & Carlo Begin

Dante & Carlo begin working with wine at Robert Mondavi and Opus One. This begins their education in wine, learning from their father Tim, the winegrower and grandfather Robert.

An old picture of a Napa Valley vineyard landscape.
1966

1966 Robert Mondavi Winery

Family founds Robert Mondavi Winery to produce world-class wines. Carlo & Dante’s father, Tim leads winegrowing for over 30 years.

1966 Robert Mondavi Winery

Family founds Robert Mondavi Winery to produce world-class wines. Carlo & Dante’s father, Tim leads winegrowing for over 30 years.

Family purchases Charles Krug winery.
1943

1943 Charles Krug Winery

Family purchases Charles Krug winery. The Mondavi’s grow and bottle quality table wine.

1943 Charles Krug Winery

Family purchases Charles Krug winery. The Mondavi’s grow and bottle quality table wine.

Old portrait of a man and woman from 1933
1933

1933 Prohibition Ends

Family purchases part of Sunny St. Helena Winery.

1933 Prohibition Ends

Family purchases part of Sunny St. Helena Winery.

Prohibition Begins
1919

1919 Prohibition Begins

Prohibition is voted into law shutting down Cesaré and Rosa Mondavi’s business. Cesaré moves the family across the country to California to send grapes to home winemakers across America.

1919 Prohibition Begins

Prohibition is voted into law shutting down Cesaré and Rosa Mondavi’s business. Cesaré moves the family across the country to California to send grapes to home winemakers across America.

Carlo and Dante’s great grandfather Cesaré Mondavi voyages from Italy to the United States.
1906

1906 Voyage

Carlo and Dante’s great grandfather Cesaré Mondavi voyages from Italy to the United States.

1906 Voyage

Carlo and Dante’s great grandfather Cesaré Mondavi voyages from Italy to the United States.