Chateau Montelena

The Napa Castle Winning the Judgement of Paris

Founded in 1882 by Alfred L. Tubbs, the Chateau Montelena winery was one of Napa’s earliest estates. After Prohibition, it fell into disuse until Jim Barrett revived it in the 1970s. The winery came to the spotlight in 1976 when Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay defeated top French white Burgundies, in Judgement of Paris blind tasting, shocking the wine world. This event was a turning point for California wines and was later dramatized in the film Bottle Shock (2008). The house produced Chardonnay – The legendary wine that won in 1976; known for its balance of richness and acidity, as well as Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Potter Valley Riesling, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.