Chateau Montelena’s history is one the most storied in the Napa Valley and California. It began when Alfred L. Tubbs thought of planting estate vineyards after hearing that Napa Valley was the best place to grow grapes in California. By January of 1882, he owned 254 acres of rugged land just two miles north of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint Helena. It was one of the largest wineries in the state before prohibition put an end to Montelena’s winemaking.

The next major era began in 1968, when Jim Barrett purchased the estate and fell in love with the property, blessed with a complex mix of soils, slopes and biodiversity of wildlife and fauna. He had a dream of creating wine at the level of the great First Growths of Bordeaux, and set about replanting the vineyard and outfitting the winery with modern equipment.

Chateau Montelena rose to international fame in 1976 when French judges rated their Chardonnay higher than Burgundy’s top whites at the historic “Judgment of Paris”. Today, the wines at Chateau Montelena are often described as having classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit. Prime vineyard sites are selected for their alluvial soils, which lend earthy complexity and concentration to Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by judicious additions of Merlot. Cobbly, gravelly subsoils promote deep root penetration and excellent drainage. Today, the 50-year legacy of excellence in farming, crafting and blending powerful wines and continued innovation is what sets Chateau Montelena Winery apart.