By Rick Riozza
So the true story goes: Fifty years ago past this spring, a little-known Napa winery quietly upended the wine world. At a blind tasting in Paris, French judges ranked Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay above the most celebrated white Burgundies of the era. This unexpected outcome challenged centuries of convention and altered the course of fine wine history by sparking the American wine revolution.
At The Judgment of Paris in 1976, Chateau Montelena cemented its place in American wine history when its 1973 Chardonnay—crafted by winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich—took first place in a blind tasting against top-tier French white Burgundies: Indeed—the real genius behind the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was winemaker Mike Grgich. This monumental victory broke the myth that only French vineyards could produce world-class wine.
Interestingly—there was a very good wine movie released around 2008, Bottle Shock, that tells the whole story of what led up to The Judgment of Paris and the exciting competition as well. Unfortunately, Grgich was entirely written out of the film, and the movie attributes the success instead to a composite character and fictionalized staff. Whaddya gonna do—it’s Hollywood!
For many years here in the desert, we wine enthusiasts enjoyed the company and the wine of Mike Grgich, who resided here when he wasn’t making wine up at his eponymous Napa County winery. Often times, Grgich would be seen at many wine venues here, pouring his wine and chatting it up with all of his fans. A couple of my favorite past articles about Mike include: https://coachellavalleyweekly.com/my-accidental-casual-lunch-with-mike-grgich/ , and, https://coachellavalleyweekly.com/grgich-wines-celebration-at-la-quinta-resort/ .
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary and Napa marks a half-century since that true story moment, Chateau Montelena has unveiled a new tasting that turns the story of the winery into an interactive experience. And by the way—the 2023 vintage will be remembered as one of the best in the last decade.
To celebrate all of the wine history involved in the Judgement of Paris, the Chateau Montelena Winery is bringing the story to life: The The Story Behind the Bottle is an immersive, semi-private tasting experience that brings Chateau Montelena’s 140+ year legacy to life, tracing the evolution of the Estate through projection mapping and AI-enhanced historical imagery. Designed to feel both cinematic and intimate, the experience transports guests into different eras of Montelena, bringing to life the people, stories and spirit that helped shape American wine history. https://montelena.com/
So I don’t think that this event is geared only for die-hard Chardonnay fans; indeed, anyone who holds dear California wine history, and who has plans to make it up to Napa County wine country, will surely desire to celebrate this time in history at this famous winery.
Attention! Available through the end of 2026, it offers guests traveling over the 4th of July weekend—or any time this anniversary year—a unique opportunity to engage with Napa Valley’s most significant anniversary. $75/person.
And now: Review & comments of the just released 2023 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay by none other but the winemaker himself—Matt Crafton: “The 2023 vintage will be remembered as one of the best in the last decade. Overall, it was an outstanding growing season where the mild conditions prevailed, capping an exceptional vintage.
“Cool vintages are something special. While there’s certainly California luster and opulence in the margins, both are tucked away right now, overshadowed by lush pear, lime leaf and orange blossom. The minerality and tension on the palate are simply awesome and the acidity is bright and racy. Wines from cool-vintages tend to mature slightly more slowly than their warm-vintage cousins, so expect the parade of citrus, green apple and flinty minerals to dominate for the next few years.
That said, the mouthfeel is just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected at this time; a very pleasant surprise!”
I personally enjoyed the 23’ Montelena Chard over the week-end. Now you loyal readers know that I’m not a huge fan of Chardonnay—but this baby knocked it out of the park! Simply a delicious Chard for any wine enthusiast to appreciate, no matter what aisle of the wine profile-flavor chart you hang out on!
And hey!—and while your visiting the winery, please take note that Chateau Montelena is also marking the moment with two firsts in its portfolio: an inaugural sparkling wine from the John Muir Hanna Vineyard (one of the three original 1973 sources) and an inaugural brandy distilled from Chardonnay across all three original vineyards. Both will be released to the public over Fourth of July weekend (the brandy is available only in California).
Lots of stuff happening up there at the winery. And if you can’t make in this summer, visiting during the autumn months would be the dream for most wine enthusiasts. See you up there! Cheers!
