Chateau Montelena

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Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon label from the 1999 vintage

Chateau Montelena is a Napa Valley winery first established in 1882. However, the National Prohibition of alcohol (1920-1933) virtually destroyed the operation and it fell into disuse.

James Barrett replanted the vineyard and installed winemaking equipment in the historic buildings and it began producing wines again in 1972. Four years later, the winery achieved international recognition at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 when it won first place in a blind tasting by leading French wine experts. Its rivals were four leading white Burgundies.

Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Chateau Montelena. As the grapes mature they will darken to a purple hue.

A bottle of the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, the vintage that won first place at the historic tasting, is in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.