In the last couple of years, Napa Valley has seen a wave of dramatic winery makeovers, from Robert Mondavi Winery’s multimillion-dollar renovation to Beaulieu Vineyard’s recently unveiled refresh. As impressive as those transformations can be, there is something appealing about stepping back in time to the region’s early days.
At Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, classic Napa Valley wines are poured inside a Gothic-style stone castle built in the late 19th century. Now, in a nod to the modern era, visitors can explore the winery’s 144-year history through a storytelling experience that brings historical photographs to life with artificial intelligence.
The story
In 1882, A.L. Tubbs, a San Francisco entrepreneur who had made his fortune during the Gold Rush, bought 254 acres at the foot of Mount Saint Helena with plans to build a winery. He planted vineyards on the property, and by 1896, A.L. Tubbs Winery was among Napa Valley’s largest…