The Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California at Davis recently held a grand opening to celebrate the completion of the $73 million first building phase of the project.

     The 130,000-sq.-ft., three-building complex houses the Department of Viticulture and Enology and the Department of Food Science and Technology, and includes a Sensory Building, administrative offices of the RMI, and classroom and laboratory space.

     More than 1,000 people attended the event, which attracted area politicians, wine industry dignitaries (many being UCD alumni), U.C. administrators and students, and the local community.

     The opening brings to fruition a dream and a plan that began in 2001 with a personal gift of $25 million from the late Robert Mondavi that served as seed money for the Institute.

     The total estimated cost of the project -- $93.5 million -- includes $36.2 million from the state of California, $20.8 million from UCD, and $36.5 million from private companies, foundations and individuals, of which Mondavi and Anheuser-Busch Foundation were the largest contributors.