The Mondavi Research Fund began as a retrospective tasting of Cabernet Sauvignons of the Charles Krug Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery, which was held on Thursday, June 13, 1985 at the Vineyard Room of the Robert Mondavi Winery at Oakville. The tasting was to honor the meritorious contributions made by Cesare, Robert, and Peter Mondavi to the California Wine Industry during their years together at Charles Krug and the years that followed. It was also at this event that they introduced the joint venture, Opus One, with Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
Michael Broadbent, master of Wine and Director of Christie's, conducted the tasting along with Dennis Foley, Master Sommelier, who decanted and poured the wines. Forty-one participants each paid $1,250.00 to taste the 50 wines offered that day. Proceeds from this one-time-only event were dedicated to the enhancement of the research program at the Department of Viticulture and Enology.