Local Travel Guide to Napa: Chateau Montelena « Tanya & Victor

Local Travel Guide to Napa: Chateau Montelena

Right after our European tour last year, I realized that I had grown so much more pride for my home in the Bay Area. We live in a world-renowned location, and I’d only gone to discover beautiful sceneries in Napa when photographing weddings. I realized that Victor and I live just 20 minutes away from beautiful Sonoma and started to take advantage of that. Let’s say that a taste for Rose had also lingered after our Euro travels too.

It was my best friend’s birthday and considering that my little brother was in town, we decided to take her out to a winery to sightsee, get away for a little bit and to unwind. I’d been scouring the web for wineries with castles just for the sake of photographing in the attempt to satiate my lust for the old world. Under that search came up Chateau Montelena. Upon seeing it in person, the winery is smaller than most and very easy to miss in Calistoga.

When you arrive, you realize that there are close to a dozen wineries on the same road, so you could make a day of it and end up dining in the old downtown area for some great eats.

Favorite White: Riesling, it’s a dry white but has floral notes that pair perfectly with a mushroom risotto.

Favorite Red: The Zinfandel has a full body, and I can imagine it pairing nicely with meaty lasagna.

Tasting: $30

Reservation required?: Walk-in service available, but for groups of 8 or more required.

Eats: No food or appetizer menu

The Chateau was built in the late 1800’s by a French architect who was very much influenced by the gothic details of Europe. The tasting room takes place in the upper part of the Chateau and is surrounded by a lake which then opens up to the fields with vineyards. Our hour drive into the vineyard was perfectly timed as the sun was getting ready to set and the grounds were perfectly lit when we arrived making for some great captures. It’s a perfect place to go for a long walk to savor the tasting, and the views are impeccable.

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