03/18/2026
Chateau Montelena has a celebrated history, most widely known for winning the “Judgement of Paris” and putting California at the forefront of the wine world. Founded in 1882 by A.L. Tubbs, a San Francisco entrepreneur, the winery was among the largest in Napa Valley and thrived prior to prohibition. Chateau Montelena as it is known and recognized today begins with the Barrett Family, who purchased and reunified the original estate in 1972. Recognizing the potential of this exceptional property, Jim Barrett along with his son, Bo, replanted the vineyards, invested in modern equipment and honed their farming and winemaking.
In just a few short years, Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay was selected as the top-ranking wine in a blind tasting of four white Burgundies and six California Chardonnays, a defining event that forever altered the perception of American wine and placed Montelena firmly on the global stage. In 2026, Chateau Montelena will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 “Judgment of Paris."
Over the last half-century, Chateau Montelena has garnered global recognition, crafting artisanal wines that evolve and endure, through the lens of their estate. Led by second-generation CEO Bo Barrett along with Winemaker Matthew Crafton, the winery continues to invest deeply in its land and refine its winemaking, all in pursuit of wines that express the character of their land and the nuances of each vintage. chmontelena wilsondaniels
