Chateau Montelena Winery has been welcoming guests since the late 1800s, when founder Alfred L. Tubbs built one of the first traditional old-world chateaus in the Napa Valley upon his return from Europe.
More than a century later, the winery continues its forward thinking, seeking out ways to improve and perfect every aspect of the estate. Refusing to rest on its laurels, Chateau Montelena has recently enhanced its grounds and redirected guests upon their arrival, ensuring a stunning view of the dramatic stone facade.
Refreshed landscaping, new signage and walking paths, a self-guided tour and even a reconfigured bocce ball court have been strategically added to enrich guest visits and reinforce Chateau Montelena’s commitment to creating the best wine country experience possible.
Notes winery owner Jim Barrett: “Our goal today is the same as when I purchased the estate in 1972. We strive for excellence – from winemaking to vineyard management to Napa Valley hospitality.”
The winery’s setting is one of the more unusual in the Napa Valley: a stunning stone chateau carved into a hillside overlooking a Chinese garden and Jade Lake. True to Chateau Montelena’s spirited history, Yort and Jeanie Frank bought the chateau in the late 1950s and promptly redesigned the grounds to reflect the Chinese gardens of their homeland.
Today, Jade Lake is considered one of Napa Valley’s most beautiful sanctuaries, home to a variety of fish and wildlife, and surrounded by weeping willows and native fauna. A small plaque displayed on the property speaks perfectly to the beauty of the scene: “Peace and tranquility to all who enter here.”
