| Region of production: | Calistoga AVA, Napa Valley |
| Winery Location: | Calistoga |
| Year Established: | 1882 |
Vineyard Holdings
Approximately 40.5 ha
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Montelena Estate (95-100% Cabernet Sauvignon): Inaugural vintage 1978.
- Napa Valley (formerly Calistoga Cuvée)
Average Total Production
- 540,000 bottles (60,000-120,000 bottles of Montelena Estate Cabernet)
Summary
Alfred Tubbs purchased 254 acres of land near Mount St. Helena in Napa Valley in 1882, planted vineyards, and constructed a grand „château“ in the model of Bordeaux. In 1886, the winery produced its first harvest–50,000 cases–and the property, named „Chateau Montelena“ after the mountain, quickly became one of Napa’s largest wine producers. It was shuttered during the Prohibition era, sold in 1958, and sold again ten years later, to Jim Barrett and partners. Barrett took sole control in 1972, and employed a young Mike Grgich to make the property’s first modern wines that same year, releasing their first Chardonnay. Montelena shot to stardom during the 1976 „Judgment of Paris“ blind tasting; the winery’s 1973 Chardonnay placed first amongst a group of Grand Cru Burgundy wines and other Californian examples, a story recounted in the 2008 film Bottle Shock. Chardonnay put the winery on the map, but the estate’s Cabernet emerged as one of California’s best in the 1980s. Jim’s son, Bo, assumed the role of winemaker in 1982.
Montelena’s fortunes soured in 2004, when Wine Spectator published a story by James Laube incriminating the winery for systemic cork taint (similar accusations were leveled at BV Vineyard and Hanzell). Montelena, already aware of the problem, had begun to refurbish the winery a year earlier, replacing fermentation tanks and undertaking other hygienic measures. The winery has since recovered, and capitalized on interest generated by Bottle Shock. Jim Barrett died in 2013. The winery today produces Cabernet and Zinfandel from estate fruit, and sources Chardonnay, Cabernet, and a Potter Valley AVA Riesling.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The Montelena Estate Cabernet has traditionally been a restrained style of moderate alcohol (13.5-14.5%), harvested between 23-26° Brix. The wine is aged for 18-22 months in barrel.
Producer Website: Chateau Montelena