The director of winemaking for the Robert Mondavi Winery, Genevieve Janssens, was recently named winemaker of the year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Raised in France, Janssens formal wine education started with her studies at the University of Bordeaux. She began her relationship with the Robert Mondavi Winery in 1978 as an enologist and continued to explore winemaking in California. In 1989, she became director of production at Opus Winery and in 1997 was named director of winemaking at Robert Mondavi. According to the company, Janssens is carrying on the legacy of her mentor Robert Mondavi by creating wines that stand in the company of the world’s finest.

Janssens will be honored, along with other award recipients, at the annual Wine Star Awards gala in New York City on Jan. 24 (2011).

Founded in 1966, the Robert Mondavi Winery is based in Napa Valley and its wines are distributed through Constellation Wines in the U.S., the U.S. division of Constellation Brands.

Slainte Wines is Constellation Brands’ exclusive distributor to the cruise lines.