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Tasting Room

A must for wine lovers seeking excellence, the setting is one of the most peaceful in the Napa Valley - a stone castle carved into a hillside overlooking a Chinese garden and lake and vineyards reaching out to the base of Mt. St. Helena.

Tasting Room Hours
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily
Note - the winery will be closed on the following dates:
February 6, 2012 - Closed for a private event
February 7 - Closed for a private event
April 6 - Good Friday, closing at noon
April 8 - Easter Sunday
May 19 - Annual party for our
Wine Club members
May 28 - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
August 23 - Special Event, closing at 3:00
November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
January 1, 2013 - New Year's Day
Tasting Room location
1429 Tubbs Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
Current Tasting

Step into our celebrated Tasting Room, located on the top floor of the Chateau, to sample and purchase our wines. You will enjoy the insights and knowledge that each member of our Hospitality team brings to the experience. The Current Tasting includes our current release wines and may also include a library or a special winery-only wine. Tasting fee credited with purchase of $100 or more.

*Wine selections may vary depending on availability. Please call ahead to inquire about specific wines.

  • Tasting Price: $20 per person
  • Availability: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Reservations: None Required
Library Wine Tasting
A hallmark of a world-class winery is the age-worthiness of its wines. In this unique and extraordinary tasting experience, Chateau Montelena's long and distinguished history of producing wines worthy of cellaring is showcased in the wines we serve. Join us in the intimate Library Room, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy and purchase wines not commonly available in the marketplace. Library Wine Tasting groups are limited to 8 people to preserve an intimate atmosphere; so pre-paid advance reservations are essential. Any cancellation request must be received at least 48 hours prior to the tasting to avoid forfeiture of the participation fee.

*If you are interested in booking a Library Tasting for today (the day of), please call the winery.

**A note to CellarMaster members: to take advantage of your membership benefits, please contact the winery directly to make your Library Tasting reservations by calling 800-222-7288 or by email at wineclubs@montelena.com

  • Tasting Price: $50 per person
  • Availability: Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
  • Reservations: Reservations Required
Beyond Paris and Hollywood: Untold Stories and Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
The 1976 Paris Tasting, and the 2008 Hollywood movie treatment of it, are part of our history and continue to attract fans of the story.  Ultimately, the real hero of the story is our Napa Valley Chardonnay, which is very much in the present and lives on as a classic American wine.  This experience provides guests with: an insider's peek at what really happened before, during, and after the actual Paris Tasting and the early days of Chateau Montelena; a candid appraisal of those events by author George Taber in a taped interview; and a comparative wine tasting to demonstrate what makes today's Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, 40 years later, an enduring example of world-class winemaking.  Beyond Paris and Hollywood groups are limited to 12 people to preserve an intimate atmosphere; so pre-paid advance reservations are essential. Any cancellation request must be received at least 48 hours prior to the tasting to avoid forfeiture of the participation fee.

*If you are interested in booking a Beyond Paris & Hollywood experience for today (the day of), please call the winery.

Vineyard Tour
The Montelena Estate Vineyard is home to one of the world's most unique winegrowing properties. The site's diversity of soils and slopes translates directly into the layers of complex flavors in our wines. Experience the elements that make this property the ideal place for growing world-class wines when you hop into our Montelena Club Car and venture out into the vineyard. Your guide will explain the many viticulture decisions we've made and how those decisions impact the wine that you drink. Over the course of the 45-minute journey, you will learn how the year's growing conditions are affecting the current vintage of grapes and have the opportunity to taste a selection of wines produced from the Montelena Estate Vineyard.

Vineyard tour groups are limited to seven people to ensure comfortable seating in the Montelena Club Car. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis so please inquire with the Tasting Room host on your arrival to sign-up.

  • Tasting Price: $30 per person
  • Availability: Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
  • Reservations: No Advance Reservations

Estate Tour

Experience our rich history as you enjoy this hour and a half walking tour through the beautiful grounds that make up the Montelena Estate. With a taste of crisp white in hand, we start the tour inside the Chateau, walk you through the rich history of our Chateau and progressively taste the other 3 wines that have made us into one of Napa Valley's finest destinations. This is a great tour for guests who are new to Montelena and of course a great refresher for those that have visited us before.

The Estate Tour is limited to 8 guests and pre-paid reservations are required. We kindly ask, no minors and only pre-paid guests will be allowed on the tour. Due to the length and distance covered on the tour, we ask that you be able to stand on your feet for a long period of time. Additionally, this tour is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.

Any cancellation request must be received at least 48 hours prior to the tasting to avoid forfeiture of the participation fee.

*If you are interested in booking an Estate Tour for today (the day of), please call the winery.

  • Tasting Price: $40 per person
  • Availability: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
  • Reservations: Reservations Required
CellarMaster Tasting
An intimate, private tasting for CellarMaster members and their guests. To experience the best Montelena has to offer, please call us at 800-222-7288 or email Wineclubs for more details or to book your appointment. The CellarMaster tasting is open to current CellarMaster club members only.
  • Tasting Price: Call for details
  • Availability: Thursday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Reservations: Reservations Required
Westin St. Francis
Please visit us in the lobby of the historic Westin St. Francis in San Francisco's Union Square. A representative from the Chateau is there pouring wine four days a week.
  • Tasting Price: Varies
  • Availability: Wednesday through Saturday 1:00p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

    Additional dates for the month of May (1-8pm unless noted):
     Monday 5/6
    Tuesday 5/7
    Tuesday 5/14
    Sunday 5/19
    Monday 5/20
    Tuesday 5/21

  • Reservations: None Required