Just as classy as you would expect. The grounds are gorgeous. Our host was a middle aged guy from the Peninsula, very fair completion, I'm sorry I can't remember his name, but was very welcoming and knowledgeable. We had a nice time. Only feedback is to have a few chairs around outside for those who are unable to stand comfortably for long periods.
Ddivya Sajja
This tour was the highlight of our trip to Napa Valley! The chateau and grounds are exquisite and full of so much history and they do a great job of explaining it during their tour. We enjoyed the nice variety of white and red wines and even brought a couple of bottles home! Definitely recommend to anyone who is in the Napa area.
Devin
Had a beautiful private experience at Chateau Montelena. The property is lovely and well kept, with a nice pond available for picnics at the bottom of the castle. Walking up to the castle is a cool experience. The educational tour and wine tasting hosted by Sheri was phenomenal and really made for a 5 star experience. My girlfriend and I left with lots of new knowledge and respect for the wine making process.
lcat A
Historic, Serene, and Unforgettable
Chateau Montelena is everything you hope a Napa Valley winery will be—elegant, peaceful, and rich with history. The grounds are absolutely stunning, with a storybook stone chateau and a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery. It's the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and take it all in.
The wine lives up to the legacy. Their Chardonnay, which famously beat the French in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, is still a standout—balanced, crisp, and beautifully structured. The Cabernet Sauvignon and other reds were equally impressive, showcasing depth, restraint, and finesse.
The tasting experience is thoughtful and unpretentious, guided by knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do. Whether you're a longtime wine lover or just beginning your journey, Chateau Montelena offers something truly special: world-class wine in a setting that feels timeless.
Evelyn Ayrapetova
We were staying in Calistoga and decided to visit this winery on our last day as we were heading back to SF. I’m so glad we did! This was my second time at this winery. Even without a reservation, the staff was incredibly accommodating and managed to squeeze in our party of four. The grounds are absolutely stunning and feel like something out of a storybook, with the historic stone chateau and lake setting alone.
Our tasting was informative. The host was knowledgeable, passionate, and took time to explain the history of the winery and the wines we tasted.
Colby Weigel
We booked a tasting here for my birthday and had a lovely time! The gentleman who did our tasting/tour was knowledgeable and kind with a lot of great stories. Beautiful grounds and wonderful experience ☺️
kristen rouse
If you miss this on your list, you'll be very disappointed! Start here as it is awe inspiring and the atmosphere is beautiful!!
Leon van Wyk
Stupid prices for just a simple wine resting…go to Sonoma valley, ten times nicer and and you don’t feel ripped off around every corner like Napa Valley…now I understand why tourist don’t go to Napa anymore…
Sarah Dougher
The castle and grounds are gorgeous and our taster Tash was incredibly knowledgeable about the wines, the history, and pretty much everything we asked about the area! I am not at all a fan of Chardonnay, but theirs was so good that you can see why it won in 1976 and changed the wine world forever.
Jan Rice
What an incredible day! The property is beautiful, the wine is fabulous and the service is fantastic! We had an incredible experience and highly recommend!
“Fantastic winery experience at Chateau Montelena! Aidan, the tasting room associate, was friendly, knowledgeable, and truly made our visit special. He shared great insights about each wine and created such a welcoming, memorable atmosphere. Can’t wait to return!”
Jason Doyle
We had such an awesome tasting with Jadey yesterday. He was knowledgeable, warm and professional. Been wanting to get here for years. It was great
Sanja Cvetkovic
I called the winery to inquire about the estate tour and tasting package, specifically to understand the policy for guests who won’t be participating in the tasting—such as pregnant women. Unfortunately, the woman I spoke with, Judie, was extremely rude and dismissive. I was trying to explain our situation, but she continuously interrupted me and bluntly repeated, “you must pay,” without offering any clarity or courtesy.
To be clear, we weren’t trying to avoid paying—we simply wanted more information. Her attitude was unnecessarily aggressive and left a really negative impression. I was genuinely excited to visit, but after this interaction, I’m seriously reconsidering. If this is the type of customer service the winery provides, it’s a real disappointment. A little patience and professionalism would go a long way.
Brian Robeson
An iconic vineyard with a beautiful property. We were happy they allowed walk up tastings so we could enjoy their fantastic Chardonnay. Our overall experience was quick and that of a lower profile. We were happy to do it quickly as we were leaving town rather than fit in a reservation during the main portion of our trip.
Anna Komarova
A bit dissapointing. We booked a tasting with a wine tour, but we didn't go to the actually vineyard and we didn't see the production facilities. Quite dissapointing for the price - we did indeed pay for the Estate Walking Tour & Tasting and chose this specifically to see the vineyard ans production
Just as classy as you would expect. The grounds are gorgeous. Our host was a middle aged guy from the Peninsula, very fair completion, I'm sorry I can't remember his name, but was very welcoming and knowledgeable. We had a nice time. Only feedback is to have a few chairs around outside for those who are unable to stand comfortably for long periods.
This tour was the highlight of our trip to Napa Valley! The chateau and grounds are exquisite and full of so much history and they do a great job of explaining it during their tour. We enjoyed the nice variety of white and red wines and even brought a couple of bottles home! Definitely recommend to anyone who is in the Napa area.
Had a beautiful private experience at Chateau Montelena. The property is lovely and well kept, with a nice pond available for picnics at the bottom of the castle. Walking up to the castle is a cool experience.
The educational tour and wine tasting hosted by Sheri was phenomenal and really made for a 5 star experience.
My girlfriend and I left with lots of new knowledge and respect for the wine making process.
Historic, Serene, and Unforgettable
Chateau Montelena is everything you hope a Napa Valley winery will be—elegant, peaceful, and rich with history. The grounds are absolutely stunning, with a storybook stone chateau and a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery. It's the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and take it all in.
The wine lives up to the legacy. Their Chardonnay, which famously beat the French in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, is still a standout—balanced, crisp, and beautifully structured. The Cabernet Sauvignon and other reds were equally impressive, showcasing depth, restraint, and finesse.
The tasting experience is thoughtful and unpretentious, guided by knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do. Whether you're a longtime wine lover or just beginning your journey, Chateau Montelena offers something truly special: world-class wine in a setting that feels timeless.
We were staying in Calistoga and decided to visit this winery on our last day as we were heading back to SF. I’m so glad we did! This was my second time at this winery. Even without a reservation, the staff was incredibly accommodating and managed to squeeze in our party of four. The grounds are absolutely stunning and feel like something out of a storybook, with the historic stone chateau and lake setting alone.
Our tasting was informative. The host was knowledgeable, passionate, and took time to explain the history of the winery and the wines we tasted.
We booked a tasting here for my birthday and had a lovely time! The gentleman who did our tasting/tour was knowledgeable and kind with a lot of great stories. Beautiful grounds and wonderful experience ☺️
If you miss this on your list, you'll be very disappointed! Start here as it is awe inspiring and the atmosphere is beautiful!!
Stupid prices for just a simple wine resting…go to Sonoma valley, ten times nicer and and you don’t feel ripped off around every corner like Napa Valley…now I understand why tourist don’t go to Napa anymore…
The castle and grounds are gorgeous and our taster Tash was incredibly knowledgeable about the wines, the history, and pretty much everything we asked about the area! I am not at all a fan of Chardonnay, but theirs was so good that you can see why it won in 1976 and changed the wine world forever.
What an incredible day! The property is beautiful, the wine is fabulous and the service is fantastic! We had an incredible experience and highly recommend!
Restaurantji Recommends
“Fantastic winery experience at Chateau Montelena! Aidan, the tasting room associate, was friendly, knowledgeable, and truly made our visit special. He shared great insights about each wine and created such a welcoming, memorable atmosphere. Can’t wait to return!”
We had such an awesome tasting with Jadey yesterday. He was knowledgeable, warm and professional. Been wanting to get here for years. It was great
I called the winery to inquire about the estate tour and tasting package, specifically to understand the policy for guests who won’t be participating in the tasting—such as pregnant women. Unfortunately, the woman I spoke with, Judie, was extremely rude and dismissive. I was trying to explain our situation, but she continuously interrupted me and bluntly repeated, “you must pay,” without offering any clarity or courtesy.
To be clear, we weren’t trying to avoid paying—we simply wanted more information. Her attitude was unnecessarily aggressive and left a really negative impression. I was genuinely excited to visit, but after this interaction, I’m seriously reconsidering. If this is the type of customer service the winery provides, it’s a real disappointment. A little patience and professionalism would go a long way.
An iconic vineyard with a beautiful property. We were happy they allowed walk up tastings so we could enjoy their fantastic Chardonnay. Our overall experience was quick and that of a lower profile. We were happy to do it quickly as we were leaving town rather than fit in a reservation during the main portion of our trip.
A bit dissapointing. We booked a tasting with a wine tour, but we didn't go to the actually vineyard and we didn't see the production facilities. Quite dissapointing for the price - we did indeed pay for the Estate Walking Tour & Tasting and chose this specifically to see the vineyard ans production
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