Chateau Montelena: A Napa Legend
Chateau Montelena helped shape the reputation of American wine. Located in Calistoga, at the northern tip of Napa Valley, the estate is famous for its stone château, lush grounds, and a milestone victory in the 1976 Judgment of Paris. At that tasting, Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay beat top French Burgundies. The result stunned critics and marked the beginning of Napa’s rise on the global wine stage.
Founded in 1882, Montelena found new life in the 1970s. Jim Barrett, a Los Angeles lawyer turned vintner, purchased the estate and committed to authenticity and quality. His son Bo Barrett continues this vision today. He avoids trends and instead produces wines with structure, restraint, and age-worthiness.
Although Montelena gained fame for Chardonnay, the estate’s identity centers on red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon defines the portfolio. The estate vineyards lie just behind the château. Their volcanic and alluvial soils produce wines with depth, complexity, and great aging potential.
Chardonnay plays a supporting role. It reflects Montelena’s legacy but not its main focus. The Napa Valley Chardonnay still shows freshness and minerality, and it ages well. Yet Cabernet remains the estate’s heartbeat.
We proudly feature key releases from Montelena. This includes the 2021 Napa Valley Chardonnay and the 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines represent the estate’s past, present, and future.
Cabernet Sauvignon
