President and Winemaker honored in VinePair’s annual Next Wave Awards during the 50th anniversary year of the Judgment of Paris
October 15, 2026 (Calistoga, CA) — Chateau Montelena today announced that Matthew Crafton, President and Winemaker, has been named Wine Professional of the Year in VinePair’s 2026 Next Wave Awards. Selected from a national field of finalists, Crafton is recognized for his leadership that spanned the vineyard, the cellar and strategy of the winery, as the historic Napa Valley estate marked the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris.
Launched in 2021, VinePair’s Next Wave Awards recognize the wine, beer and spirits professionals who are propelling the drinks industry toward a better, more creative and sustainable future. The 2026 honorees were revealed in VinePair’s full Next Wave Awards package, published October 15.
In naming Crafton, VinePair’s Stephen Bradley wrote that rather than resting on Montelena’s storied past, “he is nimble and ready to usher Chateau Montelena into the future.”
The recognition marks a defining year for both Crafton and Montelena. In January, he was named President, expanding his role as Winemaker to include long-term strategy and day-to-day operations, the first time in the winery’s modern history that the position has been extended beyond the Barrett family.
Crafton joined Chateau Montelena as Enologist in 2008 after earning his degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California, Davis, and was promoted to Winemaker in 2014. Since then, he has guided the estate through a period of thoughtful progress, refining vineyard practices, advancing investments in quality and strengthening Montelena’s reputation as the benchmark for age-worthy wines defined by place and vintage. “VinePair has been a valued voice in sharing Montelena’s story over the years, which makes this recognition especially meaningful,” said Crafton. “No one makes wine at Montelena alone. This honor also belongs to our team in the cellar and vineyard, and to the Barrett family, whose trust and long-term view have shaped everything we do. In the year that we’ve celebrated fifty years since the Judgment of Paris, it’s a meaningful reminder that carrying a legacy forward is work that is never finished.”
About Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena has a celebrated history, most widely known for winning the “Judgment of Paris” in 1976, a legacy responsible for reshaping the global perception of fine wine and firmly establishing America’s place on the world stage. Today, Chateau Montelena stands as a quality icon, consistently producing some of the finest and most sought-after wines in the country. Bo Barrett stands as CEO and Matthew Crafton serves as President and Winemaker. With over fifty years of Barrett ownership, the winery has cultivated a profound understanding of the Montelena Estate, crafting age-worthy wines that express one of Napa Valley’s most distinctive growing sites while revealing the special and unique characteristics of every vintage.
