Chateau Montelena is a winery located in the Napa Valley region of California. It is known for producing high-quality wines and for its role in the “Judgment of Paris,” a tasting event in which California wines competed against French wines and shocked the wine world by outperforming their French counterparts.
Chateau Montelena was founded in 1882 by Alfred L. Tubbs, a San Francisco businessman who purchased the property and built a Victorian-style winery on it. In the late 1960s, the winery was purchased by James L. Barrett, a lawyer who was passionate about wine. Barrett invested heavily in the winery, replanting the vineyards and upgrading the winemaking facilities.
One of the key figures at Chateau Montelena during this time was winemaker Mike Grgich, who was hired by Barrett in 1972. Grgich, who had previously worked at several wineries in California and Croatia, was a skilled winemaker with a particular talent for crafting Chardonnay.
In 1976, Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay was selected to participate in the “Judgment of Paris,” a tasting event in which California wines were pitted against French wines in a blind tasting. The event was organized by wine critic Steven Spurrier and was intended to determine whether California wines were capable of competing with the best wines of France.
To the surprise of many, the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay outperformed several highly regarded French Chardonnays and was declared the best white wine at the event. This result was seen as a major victory for California wines and helped to establish the Napa Valley as a premier wine-producing region.
Chateau Montelena’s vineyards are located in the Calistoga and St. Helena areas of the Napa Valley. The winery grows a variety of grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel.
Chateau Montelena’s winemaking process begins with careful selection of the grapes, which are hand-picked and sorted to ensure only the best fruit is used. The grapes are then crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, depending on the type of wine being produced.
After fermentation, the wines are aged in oak barrels for varying periods of time, depending on the specific wine. Chateau Montelena’s wines are known for their complex flavors and balance, which are achieved through careful attention to detail during the winemaking process.
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Colby Weigel
a month agoWe booked a tasting here for my birthday and had a lovely time! The gentleman who did our tasting/tour was knowledgeable and kind with a lot of great stories. Beautiful grounds and wonderful experience ☺️
lcat A
2 weeks agoHistoric, Serene, and Unforgettable Chateau Montelena is everything you hope a Napa Valley winery will be—elegant, peaceful, and rich with history. The grounds are absolutely stunning, with a storybook stone chateau and a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery. It's the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and take it all in. The wine lives up to the legacy. Their Chardonnay, which famously beat the French in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, is still a standout—balanced, crisp, and beautifully structured. The Cabernet Sauvignon and other reds were equally impressive, showcasing depth, restraint, and finesse. The tasting experience is thoughtful and unpretentious, guided by knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do. Whether you're a longtime wine lover or just beginning your journey, Chateau Montelena offers something truly special: world-class wine in a setting that feels timeless.
Sarah Prusha
6 months agoThe property was beautiful, the wine was amazing, but Christian truly made the entire experience a 10/10! He was incredibly knowledgeable about wine and the processes involved in crafting different varieties. I had so many questions, all of which he answered in depth, providing examples that helped me better understand the complexities of it all. We visited during the winter, so it was quite cold. Because of the cold, we were able to enjoy a very intimate wine tasting with just my family and me. I never felt rushed or like my many questions were a bother! I would definitely book again with excitement to learn more from a host like him!
Brian Robeson
2 months agoAn iconic vineyard with a beautiful property. We were happy they allowed walk up tastings so we could enjoy their fantastic Chardonnay. Our overall experience was quick and that of a lower profile. We were happy to do it quickly as we were leaving town rather than fit in a reservation during the main portion of our trip.
Devin
2 weeks agoHad a beautiful private experience at Chateau Montelena. The property is lovely and well kept, with a nice pond available for picnics at the bottom of the castle. Walking up to the castle is a cool experience. The educational tour and wine tasting hosted by Sheri was phenomenal and really made for a 5 star experience. My girlfriend and I left with lots of new knowledge and respect for the wine making process.