Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena

In 1972 Jim Barrett, son of a Waterford immigrant, purchased the historic 100 hectare property which lies 3.5 kilometres north of Calistoga, at the base of Mount St. Helena. The region lies on a complex terroir with a mixture of alluvial and volcanic soils, some on the flat, some on steeply sided hillsides and in 2010 was given its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) as a recognition of its uniqueness. Under Jim Barrett’s guidance the château’s vineyards were replanted and a modern winery was installed and in 1976 his vision was rewarded by winning the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ when his Chardonnay beat 4 white Burgundies and five other Californian Chardonnays in a blind tasting that rocked the wine world. Today, Jim’s son, Bo, is at the helm and he has continued the tradition of making elegantly styled wines, both white and red.

Napa Valley
United States

It All Starts with Curiosity.

A quintessential Napa Valley winery known for crafting age-worthy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay while revealing a unique story with every vintage

We pay homage to our heritage by innovating, not imitating. Chateau Montelena has a celebrated history, and the Judgment of Paris is just one chapter.Modern technology does not replace people or the art in winemaking but expands our creative potential. There are no formulas here.

Careful consideration drives every project with the determination to build our future.

Viticulture

Curious minds are never satisfied. At Montelena, we question everything — convention, past methodologies, or how we can do something just a little bit better. With the freedom to explore, we have the privilege to learn. And by asking ourselves why, we can better understand the path to how. With a 14-decade legacy comes the responsibility for further growth and we refuse to rest on our laurels.

Winemaking

We’re not interested in recreating a specific flavor in our wines year after year, but capturing each unique season through the lens of our growing site. Our goal is to paint with all of the colors, with Montelena expressed in every vintage. A unique story in every bottle Regardless of your wine background, we speak to who you are and where you are. There is a unique story living within each bottle we craft.

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