rich tradition, historic grounds

About six miles northwest of the City of Napa, up in the rolling hills of the Mt. Veeder appellation area, lies the group of Mission-style buildings called “Mont La Salle.” They are named after Saint John Baptist de La Salle, a French priest and founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as the Christian Brothers or the De La Salle Christian Brothers), who started the order in 1680. In 1950, he was declared the Special Patron of All Teachers of Youth, popularly known as the Patron Saint of Teachers.

This Catholic religious group of teaching brothers—currently the largest group of Catholic Brothers exclusively devoted to education—came to California in 1868 at the invitation of Bishop Alemany of San Francisco to take over the struggling Saint Mary’s College, then located at College and Crescent Streets in San Francisco. They soon increased the enrollment, stabilized the finances, and established the college as the largest institution of higher education in California. In 1879, the Brothers’ central offices and formation houses were moved to Martinez, a quiet, rural setting at the time.

In 1930, with encroaching population and refineries, the Brothers decided that a new location was needed for their formation, administration, and retirement center, a place where tranquility could be found. They also sought a vineyard and a winery, in order to further develop a growing business in the production of altar wines, something that had started in Martinez years earlier with a few vines and a small production. Napa proved to be the best place. Mont La Salle is located within the recognized Mount Veeder sub-appellation of the Napa Valley Wine Appellation.

The beautiful and historic Mont La Salle Chapel, the church located onsite, is a treasure that inspires and instills a sense of peace. The Chapel is a wonderful example of Spanish Romanesque and Mission-style architecture. Mass is celebrated in the chapel at 11 o’clock each Sunday morning. It is also the site of many cultural events, including musical performances, and is renowned for its fine acoustics and excellent pipe organ.

The pipe organ was built by Murray M. Harris in Los Angeles in 1900 for a church in San Francisco and had two manuals, 25 stops (or pipe voices), and 27 ranks of pipes. This organ survived the devastating 1906 earthquake. In 1927, it moved to another church in San Francisco and was entirely rebuilt by Schoenstein & Co. In 1967, the organ was purchased and installed at Mont La Salle by Otto Schoenstein. Bond Organ Builders later rewired the organ and console, adding a number of sets of pipes to the instrument. Today, the organ has 29 stops and 34 ranks of pipes and is used for celebrations, weddings, and Sunday Mass.

Since 1932, Mont La Salle has operated in various capacities from spiritual to educational. Mont La Salle now serves as the administrative headquarters of the San Francisco New Orleans District of the Christian Brothers, one of four such Districts in the United States and Canada. It is the site of the De La Salle Institute offices, the District Archives, and the Retreat and Conference Center. It also remains home to the Provincialate and Holy Family retired Brothers’ communities.

In 1986, eager to share its rich tradition and historic grounds, Mont La Salle opened its Conference Center and Chapel to public events, in addition to continuing its service to the Brothers and schools.

Brother Timothy Diener

Legendary wine maker

Brother Timothy Diener (1910-2004) was a renowned pioneer among the Christian Brothers and California vintners alike. After Prohibition ended, Brother Timothy was the winemaker for the Christian Brothers for many years at Mont La Salle.

“He was a legend; he was the heart of the industry,” the late Robert Mondavi, himself a legendary winemaker, declared at a 2004 event honoring Diener’s 75th anniversary as a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

After the Brothers moved out of winemaking in 1989, The Hess Collection Winery took out a long-term lease on the vineyards surrounding Mont La Salle, where they continue to operate their winery business. Each year, they produce special bottlings of wine exclusively for the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

The mission of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and their lay partners is stronger than ever today. The legacy of Brother Timothy—his unwavering commitment to serve the poor—continues with the annual release of the Brother Timothy Cabernet Sauvignon and, a recent addition, Chardonnay. Brother Timothy is truly a special wine. The Estate Reserve Cabernet is handmade by Dave Guffy, The Hess Collection Winery’s celebrated winemaker, with grapes from the two-acre Mont La Salle Vineyard on Mt. Veeder in Napa. Brother Timothy wine is a labor of love, generously donated to the Christian Brothers by The Hess Collection. Less than 275 cases are produced and sold to friends and benefactors each year. All proceeds benefit the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation and will continue helping underserved youth transform their lives through education.