Chateau Montelena Winery has announced that it has terminated its sale agreement with Michel Reybier for the acquisition of the 127-year-old estate, as Reybier Investments has been unable to meet its obligations under its contract with the Barrett family, which will retain ownership and not offer the winery for sale.
“The process that just ended did not result in the outcome we or Mr. Reybier desired,” said Jim Barrett, Managing General Partner. “However, we find ourselves energized by the enthusiasm and vision expressed by all the parties who bid for ownership of Chateau Montelena. We now embark on a pursuit with which we are familiar and uniquely capable — to realize the full potential of this unique and special property.”
The winery will operate under the leadership of Barrett and Managing Director Greg Ralston, with winemaker Cameron Parry and vineyard manager Dave Vella continuing to oversee production. Master winemaker Bo Barrett will continue on as a limited partner in the winery, contributing his experience and expertise as technical advisor and to special projects.
“We could not be more gratified by the market’s continued response to our wines and the loyal support of our consumer base. We move forward with an exceptional team, having great confidence and a renewed passion to succeed at the very highest level,” Ralston said.
Chateau Montelena was first established in 1882, and by 1896 it was the seventh largest winery in Napa Valley, well known for its quality. The winery had been substantially abandoned when the Barrett family acquired it in 1972 and revitalized it as one of Napa Valley’s great wine estates, celebrated for its exceptional terroir.
Under the management of Jim Barrett and his son Bo, Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has consistently garnered top accolades from the world’s wine experts, notable for its consistency of style and grace from year to year. Also famous for its Chardonnay, the winery’s 1973 vintage won the famous international wine tasting known as “The Judgment of Paris,” which put Napa Valley on the map as a world-class winemaking region.
