Matt, tell us a bit about your role at the Chateau.
I’ve been the Winemaker, overseeing winemaking and vineyards, since 2014. In December, I was promoted to President, expanding my winemaking duties to include strategic and operational leadership for the brand. It’s my job to express and enact the Barrett family’s vision of building Montelena for the next 50 years.
This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, when Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay was rated top in the category, shocking the French wine establishment. This event became the basis of the book, and then film, Bottle Shock. Fifty years on, how do you think that event impacted the trajectory of Montelena—and wine in general?
I think it was a massive paradigm shift that is still felt today. In fact, I’m not sure if anyone at the time recognised the gravity of the event and what would come as a result. Essentially, the Judgment of Paris demonstrated two related lessons: first, that great wine could be made outside of traditional winegrowing regions. This opened the door to not only the United States, but also much of the new world including South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Second, the tasting validated the idea that ingenuity, creativity, diligence, and dedication could trump history, lineage, and reputation. For Montelena, that ethos—of independent thought, the freedom to explore, a natural curiosity of what’s possible, and a willingness to push boundaries—is part of our DNA. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Judgment of Paris played a massive role in our early success. But reputation is rented, not earned, and payment is due each vintage. Every year we have to deliver.
The Barretts have owned the Chateau for over 50 years now. Can you tell us a bit about how they have been so instrumental in the explosive growth of Napa as a wine region and its evolution in terms of winemaking?
The Barretts recognise the fundamentals of what it takes to consistently make great wine: first, impeccable, unique growing sites. Second, a vision for expressing those sites. And third, building the team to do it. It sounds simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy. The Barretts have set the standard that Montelena grows and succeeds through quality, not quantity. In fact, the winery’s production level has been consistent for over 40 years. We better ourselves and the brand by investing in our people and place with quality being the ultimate goal.
Can you share a bit about the bottles we’ll be enjoying at The Park?
All of our wines represent a moment in time expressed through the lens of our vineyards. We change our winemaking each year to suit the vintage, leaning into the unique characteristics of each growing season. The featured wines on the menu provide some profound breadth in vintage expression: 2023 was cool, foggy, and elegant; whereas 2022 was supple, warm, and round. Wines from 2021 were angular and strong, while 2017 was very unique: the wines exhibit both cool and hot vintage characteristics, but no moderate ones. What’s beautiful about these wines is how all of them evolve at their own pace; they do change, they do develop over time, and those who enjoy them get to decide how they prefer them.
Do you have a favourite of the Montelena vintages on our list?
The 2017 was a very unique vintage, one that I’ll likely only experience a few times in my winemaking career. It’s taken a while for that wine to focus but it’s now beginning to show its stuff. The 2017 vintage as seen through the lens of our Estate is magical.
Any other news from the winery?
Amidst the well-publicized challenges facing the wine industry, Chateau Montelena continues to invest in our future. We are currently slated to finish the largest replant of the Montelena Estate since its modern establishment in 1972. We began this project in 2018 and will finish the final block later this spring. Every decision we’ve made ties back to the quality of our wines and the sustainability of our vineyard. I’ll look forward to sharing more in person. Moreover, we recently completed the acquisition of a new vineyard site in north Carneros (Napa AVA) to be the home of our Estate Chardonnay Vineyard. This is a massive undertaking to ensure that we can produce the very best Chardonnay for decades to come. That vineyard will be planted this summer and we expect the first fruit in 2029. The quantity of Chardonnay we produce will not change, but this property will allow us to continue to refine and improve what everyone loves about our Chardonnay.
When is the best time of year to visit Montelena in person?
I always recommend booking in advance as our hospitality team excels in delivering exceptional experiences to fit the interests of our guests. The time of year is more subjective. The cooler winter months are a quieter time in Napa whereas late summer and into harvest are much more action-packed for those looking for more to do.