Montelena

Château Montelena is a Napa Valley winery established in 1882, located in Calistoga at the northern end of the valley. The estate gained international recognition when its 1973 Chardonnay won the famous 1976 Paris Tasting, defeating several prestigious French Burgundies in a blind tasting that helped establish California's credibility as a serious wine region. The winery produces both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards.

Napa Valley's climate and terroir provide ideal conditions for Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the valley's warm days and cool nights. The region's diverse microclimates and soil types, ranging from volcanic ash to alluvial deposits, allow for complex expressions of classic varietals. Château Montelena's location in Calistoga benefits from the area's warmer temperatures and well-draining soils.

The winery's current Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings blend traditional Bordeaux varietals, incorporating Cabernet Franc and Merlot alongside the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon. This approach reflects classic Napa Valley winemaking, where blending adds complexity and structure to the final wine.