A pioneering winemaker from California’s Napa Valley has died.

Robert Mondavi, who helped put California wine country on the map, died at his Napa Valley home on Friday. He was 94.

Mondavi was 52 before he opened the winery that would help turn the Napa Valley into a world centre of the industry.

Mondavi engaged in the first French-American wine venture when he formed a limited partnership with the legendary French vintner Baron Philippe de Rothschild to grow and make the ultra-premium Opus One.

The success of the Mondavi winery allowed him to donate tens of millions of dollars to charity.

Later, the company accepted a buyout worth $1.3 billion from Constellation Brands.