Monticello Estate

Monticello Vineyards began in 1970, when Jay Corley came to Napa Valley in search of land where he could grow exceptional wine. He was especially drawn to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and he believed the cooler southern end of Napa Valley offered something special for those varieties.

In 1970, Jay acquired a Prohibition-era prune orchard on Big Ranch Road in what is now the Oak Knoll District. Shaped by morning fog, afternoon sunshine, and the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay, the site offered the balance he was looking for: enough warmth for ripeness, but enough cool air to preserve freshness, structure, and character.

From the beginning, Monticello has been built on winegrowing. We do not simply make wine, we grow it. The vineyard is where quality begins, where each wine’s personality takes shape, and where the family’s connection to Napa Valley is most deeply felt. The consistency of the people caring for the land, season after season, is central to who we are.

Through the 1970s, the Corley family planted and farmed the estate vineyards with a hands-on approach and deep respect for place. Monticello’s first vintage was produced in 1980, and the winery was built in 1982, giving the family a permanent home for its farming and winemaking vision.

In 1986, second-generation vintner Kevin Corley joined the family business and helped expand Monticello’s vineyards, winemaking, and commitment to estate-grown Napa Valley wines. Today, Monticello is run by the second and third generations of the Corley family, carrying forward the same focus on farming, hospitality, and connection to the land that has guided the winery since the beginning.

The wines are classic Napa, expressive of place, people, and heart. They are balanced, soulful, and made to be shared with family and friends.