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MAY NEWS Chateau Montelena Founder Dies James Barrett started the well-known Napa Valley winery in 1972 C alistoga, Calif.—James L. Barrett, Napa Valley wine pioneer and owner of Chateau Montelena, died March 14. Barrett died surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 86. Born Nov. 8, 1926, Barrett spent his early years selling newspapers in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1946; he earned his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1950. Barrett served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a submariner in the Pacific on the USS Sea Devil. Following the war, Barrett had a thriving legal practice and was senior partner of his firm—Barrett, Stearns, Collins, Gleason and Kinney—for more than 20 years. In 1972, Barrett and his family came to Napa Valley with one thing in mind: to start a world-class winery. "I wanted to do something to make people happy," Barrett often said. James Barrett had a career in law before launching his winery, Chateau Montelena. In 1976, under Barrett's leadership, Chateau Montelena helped put California at the forefront of world-class winemaking when its 1973 Chardonnay was selected as the top-rated white wine when tasted with wines from California and Burgundy during the now-famous Judgment of Paris. "He was a tough and loving man who will be greatly missed at home, at the winery and throughout the Napa Valley," Bo Barrett said of his father in a statement released by the family. "He, along with the entire family, has prepared a succession plan for Chateau Montelena which will ensure the winery stays in our family for as many decades going forward as we have enjoyed during his life. There will be no changes to the current plan; Chateau Montelena has a wonderful future, which we have been working toward over the past 40 years, with improvements and upgrades to maintain the caliber of wines we produce." In 1982, Barrett turned over winemaker duties to his son Bo Barrett, though the elder Barrett served as CEO and general partner of the winery and was actively involved in the day-to-day operations and decision making until his death. —Wines & Vines staff NOW MADE LOCALLY IN AMERICA. ( BY POPULAR DEMAND ) Introducing Rivercap USA, proudly producing polylaminate and PVC capsules in Benicia, California, while continuing to produce top quality tin capsules in Spain. You spoke, and we responded by giving you local access to the technical expertise, capsule variety and unmatched service that made Rivercap a trusted name worldwide. Our commitment to local winemakers is stronger—and closer—than ever. WHAT CAN RIVERCAP USA DO FOR YOU? EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY CORK SUPPLY 531 Stone Road, Benicia, CA 94510 PH. 707.747.3630 • CorkSupply.com win eS & v i n eS M AY 20 13 15