2022 · Napa Valley Chardonnay

Chateau Montelena is a historic Napa Valley estate in Calistoga, founded in 1882 and owned and operated by the Barrett family since the 1970s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is famed for the 1973 Chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The winery is certified Napa Green Land and Napa Green Winery, with practices including majority dry farming, precise irrigation, and other climate-conscious investments. Long associated with figures such as Mike Grgich, Bo Barrett, and current winemaker Matt Crafton, Montelena emphasizes innovation over imitation, terroir expression, and wines built for longevity, aiming to capture each vintage and growing season with clarity and ageability.