Chateau Montelena is considered one of the most historic wineries in Napa Valley. Not uncommonly, it sits on the hillside overlooking their own vineyards, but it also overlooks a beautiful Chinese garden and that makes it a little bit more than unique. Oh, did I mention that the main building is an English Gothic castle gatehouse replica!?? Before we get into why this winery is so famous, let’s take a look at a few highlights of their incredible and very interesting history!!
Founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs, a California State Senator when he purchased 254 acres of land at the base of Mount Saint Helena. Originally he named the winery after himself… A.L. Tubbs Winery and was planning to operate it as a barrel-aging facility. [this is a process of storing wine in oak barrels for a specific period of time] Then here comes prohibition... Alfred ceased to make wine, but he continued to sell his grapes. Around 1940 Alfred’s grandson, Chapin Tubbs renamed the winery and it has been known as Chateau Montelena ever since.
In 1958 Alfred sold the winery to the Franks family. Wing Frank, an electrical engineer, and his wife Jeanie immigrated to the US from China before WWII hoping to find a retirement home. They created a garden in the style of their homeland to include a crooked bridge [pictured below] that takes you across Jade Lake and ends on an island at a Chinese Pagoda. [also pictured below] It is still open to the public and is a popular picnic spot, there is no wine tasting purchase needed to explore the grounds. [but let me ask you... wine not!? Haha]
James Barrett, an LA real estate attorney purchased the winery in 1972 from the Franks. The Barrett family updated equipment, did some replanting of grape vines, and improved upon the winemaking process that was already in place. Then in 1976, Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay won in the Paris Tasting competition, called Judgment of Paris!! [which we’ll talk about in a few moments] This is why, my friends that Chateau Montelena is so famous.. this along with the movie, based on true events that was made about the competition and that you many have heard of… Bottle Shock.
Okay let's go back a minute to the Judgement of Paris... sounds so ominous doesn't it!? However, this is what really put California on the wine making map. A British wine merchant by the name of Steven Spurrier organized a blind tasting in Paris with unlabeled French and California wines. There were nine French judges who tasted 10 wines from each wine category and as I mentioned above, Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay won in this category and caused the biggest upset!! [like as in upsetting the apple cart, so to speak.. hehe]
The move Bottle Shock, is set in the early 1970’s and was filmed on the winery grounds with a star-studded cast. It is a true account, with some artistic freedom that only Hollywood can get away with, about the Judgement of Paris. I actually had a friend tell me about this movie years ago [because it's about wine and I love it so much!! LOL] but I could just not seem to get into it. However, now that I know what I know now... that I have been in this winery that is in the movie, [because I didn’t know the movie was filmed here when I was there] I think I am going to give it another try!!
Today the winery is still owned and run by the Barrett family with Jame’s son, Bo Barrett taking the helm. Their expert winemaking coupled with more than three decades of experience has turned Chateau Montelena into a recognized world class wine. Their motto is “Curious minds are never satisfied.” They question everything in order to learn and better understand how to improve, refusing to rest on their laurels!!
I have to say Chateau Montelena has one of the most unique websites I have ever seen. I highly recommend you take a look at it.. and then, of course let me know what you think!!
Next week Wine with Wixy will wrap up our Napa Valley visit!! I am almost certain y’all have heard of wines by Beringer!? Join me at their beautiful vineyard, our last stop and all I had time for on this short visit..
Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN
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