Chateau Montelena on National Register of Historic Places for 1976 Paris Tasting

CALISTOGA, Calif., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chateau Montelena www.montelena.com, the historic Calistoga-based Napa Valley winery, has been officially recognized by the National Register of Historic Places for helping put Napa Valley wines on the international map with its Chardonnay win at the 1976 Paris Tasting.

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Chateau Montelena applied to the National Register to obtain historical recognition for the stone winery Chateau, completed by Alfred Tubbs in 1888, and owned and operated by the Barrett family since 1972.  The National Register of Historic Places added the time period of the famous 1976 Paris Tasting as being historically significant due to the exceptional importance that Chateau Montelena played in building Napa Valley's reputation in the global wine industry in the late 1970s under the Barrett Family's stewardship.  

"It's a great old building for winemaking and we wanted to make sure it lived on for many years to come," said Bo Barrett, Chief Executive Officer at Chateau Montelena. "We were pretty stoked to see that our family and the Montelena team's contributions to the 1976 Paris Tasting were deemed by others to be so historic in Napa Valley, California and U.S. history. I have to say it is a huge compliment to be given this recognition and we all are extremely honored."

Chateau Montelena won first place for its 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay among four white Burgundies and six California Chardonnays at the legendary Paris Tasting held at the Inter-Continental Hotel on May 24, 1976 in Paris, France. The results proved that Chateau Montelena could produce some of the world's finest wines and that California's wine industry had come of age. The National Register's historic designation showcases the importance of Chateau Montelena's involvement in the Napa Valley wine industry, from its founding in Calistoga in the late nineteenth century, through its resurgence in the late 1970s, to today with its historic recognition and continued winemaking excellence. 

About Chateau Montelena
Established in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs, Calistoga-based Chateau Montelena is credited for helping California wine earn worldwide recognition. In 1976, Chateau Montelena was one of two Napa Valley wineries to come out on top in a blind tasting held for a who's-who of the French wine and food establishment gathered at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris. Chateau Montelena produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Riesling varieties. Its celebrated tasting room is open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The winery has been owned and operated by the Barrett Family since 1972. For more information on Chateau Montelena please visit: http://www.montelena.com.

Media Contact: Katie Calhoun
Calhoun & Company Communications
(415) 346-2929
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SOURCE Chateau Montelena