Chateau Montelena For Sale?


Napa Valley is buzzing about the rumors that one of the most esteemed wineries in the region, Chateau Montelena might be up for sale. Wine Spectator tracked down Bo Barrett, the winemaker and son of founder Jim Barrett, who was mum about a possible sale. But sources say that the winery has been but up for sale and offers over $100 million have come in. The Barrett family is currently considering offers. Chateau Montelena makes fine estate-grown Cabernets which currently sell for $125 a bottle. The winery is also one of the oldest in the area, dating back to 1882 when Alfred L. Tubbs bought the land and built the beautiful chateau. It was in bad shape in the late 1960s when Jim Barrett and a team of investors came along and with famed winemaker Mike Grgich started producing respected wines. Montelena's second vintage, the 1973, won the tasting in Paris in 1976.