The year: 1972. The Napa Valley wine industry was in its infancy with only a handful of wineries beginning their foray into commercial winemaking.

Some of the valley’s most iconic names today began their journey in wine and grape growing decades ago this year; each of them celebrating milestone accomplishments and showing no signs of slowing down. There’s no better time to become acquainted with each estate and partake in their momentous accomplishments than this year through a host of anniversary tasting and tour experiences, commemorative bottlings, and many festive private and public events.

Chateau Montelena

Nestled in a mountainside in the hills of Calistoga, Chateau Montelena shot to fame by winning top honors at the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, with their Chardonnay, putting not only their winery on the map as a world-class producer, but also rising the tide for all wineries in the valley. This historic event proved that Napa Valley had all the right conditions for producing the highest caliber of wines – its soils, climate, weather, and passionate people who believe in crafting exceptional wines. Chateau Montelena deeply honors this first milestone, but it’s the forward-thinking vision of CEO and Owner Bo Barrett, son of winery founder Jim Barrett, who assumed ownership of the winery in 1972. Respecting and understanding the land that they farm guides their daily practices and success of each vintage. Winemaker Matt Crafton harnesses the unique aspects of their terroir using modern winemaking techniques and technology to safeguard their legacy for decades to come.  

Chateau Montelena’s 50th Anniversary Activities:

Offered only in 2022 for the 50th Anniversary of Barrett stewardship, Montelena is offering a unique tasting experience that will fully immerse you in the wines, history, and future of the winery. This special experience includes:

• A day-long private excursion hosted by a Montelena guide, showcasing handpicked Montelena wines and their vineyards throughout Napa Valley
• Gourmet lunch with wine pairings and behind-the-scenes tour of the cellar, caves and grounds at the winery
• Multiple tastings throughout the day of library Chardonnay plus five decades of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, each bottle hand-selected by owner Bo Barrett
• A keepsake, limited-edition Riedel glass along with the rare opportunity to purchase library wines this day only

Price: $2,000 per person. Luxury transportation included. For full details of excursion and reservation availability, call 1-800-222-7288.
Montelena has also created a member-exclusive, limited-production Chardonnay, crafted as a blend of the three original vineyards that made up their legendary 1973 Chardonnay. Offered as a three-pack set (750ml), this collection is designed with commemorative packaging and hand-waxed finishing. At this time, the release is sold out but you can gain special access to highly anticipated,  limited releases in the future by joining their membership program.   

Burgess Cellars

Burgess Cellars will celebrate its 50th Anniversary, paying homage to the winery’s roots and showcasing innovations by Estate Director George Lobjanidze and Winemaker Meghan Zobeck.  Burgess Cellars was originally purchased by Tom Burgess in 1972. The revered 27-acre vineyard was planted with vines in the 1880s. Both Lobjanidze and Zobeck are responsible for ushering in a new era for Burgess, focused on regenerative farming and sustainability, coupled with world-class hospitality that showcases the nuance and history behind every bottle.  Additionally, Burgess will undergo updates to the landscape and exterior followed by interior renovations. This coincides with a visual rebranding of the wine labels, website, and collateral for guests.

Burgess Cellars’s 50th Anniversary Activities:

• 50th Anniversary Dinner (October 8th at 5pm): This commemorative dinner will celebrate Tom Burgess and Bill Sorenson’s 50-year legacy. A multi-course tasting menu will pair dishes by Executive Chef Mark Sullivan of Bacchus Management with unique and rare wines from the Burgess library; new releases will also be previewed. Tickets for the event can be purchased at this link.
• Burgess Makers Series: Lobjanidze and Zobeck will host conversations with local artisans and tastemakers each season, focusing on committing yourself to a craft and how their respective ethos aligns with Burgess. The lineup of interviewees is as follows: James Beard Award-Winning Designer Amy Morris who will be helming the Burgess renovation, Regenerative Gardening and Edible Landscaping Specialist Colby Eireman who designed the estate’s edible garden, Landscape Architects Eric and Silvina Blasen who designed the topiary and landscaping for the winery renovation, and Executive Chef Sullivan.

Clos du Val Winery

World-travelers from a young age, winery founders John and Henrietta Goelet fell in love with the French lifestyle, and Bordeaux wines in particular, calling the iconic region home for many years. Their dream was to one day replicate the fine wines of Bordeaux back here in the States at their own winery. After an exhaustive two-year search, kismet struck in 1970 with a chance meeting of a fresh-out-of-wine-school French winemaker named Bernard Portet. Their visions aligned and together they planted their first vineyard and began production of their beloved Bordeaux-style wines in 1972 under Clos du Val. The winery’s name translates to “small vineyard estate of a small valley” in French, but it wasn’t long before this petite winery was gaining big recognition at top wine competitions in France and around the U.S. Fifty years on and three generations of Goelet family ownership later, Head of Winegrowing and Chairman, Olav Goelet, practices a vineyard-centric approach to making the finest Bordeaux-style Cabernet in Napa Valley.

Clos Du Val Winery’s 50th Celebration Activities:

• Anniversary tasting experience at the estate Hirondelle House featuring wines from their vast library collection. Guided by one of their knowledgeable estate hosts, you’ll learn about the history of Clos du Val, their Bordeaux-inspired wines, and the terroir they are proud to call home. Available March through December 2022. Reservations at closduval.com/experience. $75 per guest. Available for parties of 1-12 guests.
• 50th Anniversary weekend of celebrations at the estate, May 21st-22nd. Multiple ticketed event options showcasing wines from past & present. Visit website for more details closduval.com/experience/attend-an-event.
• Members of the CDV (Cercle du Vin) will receive two (2) extremely limited, commemorative-edition wines in the September and November allocation Not available to the public, exclusive to club members.

Madonna Estate Winery

A most impressive milestone is being commemorated this year by Madonna Estate Winery, a longstanding anchor in the Los Carneros region that is celebrating their 100th year of winemaking. The winery also holds the prestigious honor of second oldest family consistently making wine today in the valley. Established in 1922, the winery was founded by Italian immigrant Andrea Bartolucci and originally located further up-valley in the Oakville district. Between 1955 and 1965 Bartolucci Sr. and his son Louis, who was now leading the winery, purchased land in the Carneros appellation. The winery blazed a path of many “firsts” such as first to dry farm the vines in this region without added irrigation, and the first vintners to plant varietal vineyards – a single grape variety per block or vineyard as opposed to the traditional European practice of planting a “field selection” of multiple varieties all growing in the same vineyard. In 1991, they received their official organic CCOF certification for their estate vineyards from which they produce bottlings of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Dolcetto, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Reserve Pinot Noir and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, the third and fourth generations are at the winery helm with Andrea’s grandson “Buck” Bartolucci leading the team along with his wife and their two adult daughters, Brette and Taylor, both of whom are integral to the daily operations of the winery overseeing the marketing/pr and hospitality.

Madonna Estate Winery’s 100th Celebration Activities:

The family is planning a 100th Anniversary Celebration the weekend of August 27-28, 2022 featuring an Italian picnic and an open house. For more details on the festivities, visit madonnaestate.com.

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More Milestone Celebrations Coming Fall 2022

Napa Valley has even more wineries sharing milestone achievements later this summer and early fall with vineyard excursions, commemorative tastings, and limited-release bottlings not to be missed. Legendary producers such as Diamond Creek Vineyards, Stags’ Leap Winery, Silver Oak Cellars, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars are among 12 wineries all sharing a 50th anniversary this year.

Rutherford Hill Winery will be celebrating their 50th in style this fall with exclusive tastings and the launch of new luxury AJT Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, commemorating the late Anthony J. Terlato’s 50+ year leadership of the company. During this celebration period, the winery will also host a private “vintage tasting” of five decades of select wines. More events are planned for their anniversary party so be sure to subscribe to their mailing list for a full rundown of celebratory events or email the winery at events@rutherfordhill.com.

A youngster in the group, Trinitas Cellars is marking their 20th year of outstanding family winemaking with a weekend-long extravaganza on August 5-7, 2022. Weekend passes are available to experience all their celebrations including a Grower’s Dinner on Friday evening; a packed Saturday lineup with a Winery Tour & Archive Tasting followed by a VIP Lobster Feed that evening, and a delicious Chef’s Brunch to conclude the event on Sunday. Tickets and more information available at trinitascellars.com/events.