Prop. 55 Funds Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science

Passage of Proposition 55 during this month's California election provides more than $12.3 billion in bonds that will help pay for a host of new buildings and facilities for public schools, colleges and universities throughout the state. Among those benefiting from the bond initiative is the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California, Davis.

The institute will receive $32,135,000 in construction funds through Proposition 55, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004. The state funds will enable the institute to break ground for its academic building in spring 2005.

"We're delighted that California voters expressed their support for education in this very tangible way," said Clare M. Hasler, executive director of the Robert Mondavi Institute. "We take very seriously our responsibility to return their confidence in the form of research and education that will improve the health and well-being of consumers in the state and around the world for years to come."

Passage of the bond initiative is the second recent boost for the Robert Mondavi Institute, which received approval in February of its phase-one design plans from the Regents of the University of California. Phase one will include the institute's academic building, while phases two and three will add a research-and-teaching winery and a brewing-and-food-science laboratory.

The Robert Mondavi Institute was established in 2001 with a $25 million gift from Robert Mondavi. The Anheuser-Busch foundation also provided $5 million in matching funds to help construct the institute's Anheuser-Busch Brewing and Food Science Laboratory. In addition, $28.5 million will be raised from individuals and industry to complete the research and teaching facilities.

The institute, which will be located near Interstate 80, is being designed as the centerpiece of the campus' south entry. The academic building, a 129,600-square-foot facility, will be built in three wings around a courtyard that faces west. The courtyard will include demonstration gardens and spaces for special events, and will look out over several acres of teaching vineyards.

The institute will house the departments of Viticulture and Enology, and Food Science and Technology. Drawing upon the expertise of researchers in a variety of fields throughout UC Davis, it is intended to be the global innovator in university-based wine and food programs. In addition to its training and research endeavors, the institute will provide educational opportunities for the general public, hoping to draw a steady stream of visitors from throughout the United States and abroad.

Media Resources

Pat Bailey, Research news (emphasis: agricultural and nutritional sciences, and veterinary medicine), 530-219-9640, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu

Clare M. Hasler, Robert Mondavi Institute, (530) 754-6349, cmhasler@ucdavis.edu

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