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Historic Chateau Montelena in Calistoga in sale talks

CALISTOGA, July 22, 2008 – The owner of 125-year-old Chateau Montelena winery who helped put Napa Valley on the world wine map at the Paris Tasting of 1976 today said he is in talks to sell the winery to a French man who owns a winery in France as well as luxury resorts.

Jim Barrett, who purchased the Calistoga winery in 1972, is talking to Michel Reybier, who owns Chateau Cos d'Estournel in the Saint-Estephe appellation of southwestern France, about an acquisition of Chateau Montelena, according to a joint announcement today.

Regulatory approval of the deal reportedly is expected this fall. The proposed purchase price was not disclosed but is reported to be $110 million.

Chateau Montelena winemaker Bo Barrett, Jim Barrett's son, would remain in place if the acquisition were to proceed.