Recently, we visited Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars winner of the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The 1973 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the highest honor at this prestigious blind tasting.
This award quickly vaulted Napa Valley to be recognized for making outstanding world class wine. It established Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as an international superstar.
This Napa Gem was founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski. It was situated on 44 acres of pristine beauty next to a vineyard owned by wine growing pioneer Nathan Fay. In 1986 he doubled the size purchasing the Fay Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.
In 1996, he purchased a Chardonnay vineyard named Arcadia owned by winemaker Mike Grgich.
Mike was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena. His 1973 Chardonnay was the winner at the 1976 Judgement Of Paris.
In 1986, a law suit with Carl Doumani owner of Stags’ Leap Winery was decided by the California Supreme Court. The two wineries were founded in the same year and both claimed first use of the name Stags Leap.
The court decided the wineries were named after the area and both were allowed to use the name. The judgement included that Winiarski would keep the apostrophe before the ‘s’ and Doumani would keep the apostrophe after the ‘s’.
In 2007 Winiarski sold the winery to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori for a reported $185 million. It included the winery facilities and SLV and Fay Vineyards. The Arcadia vineyard was kept by the Winiarski family and provided fruit to the winery.
In 2023, Marchesi Atinori bought Ste. Michelle’s 85% stake and became the sole owner.
The Estate was designed by Spanish architect Javier Barba. The Fay Outlook and Visitor Center was built with stone gathered from the property and combined with sapphire glass showcases the serene beauty of the vineyards and Stags Leap Palisades.
The 35,000 square foot wine cave offers a memorable experience for any private event. The cave showcases extraordinary architecture, art and design pieces throughout the Arcade, Great Room and Round Room.
Since 2013, Winemaker Marcus Notaro and his team continue the legacy at Stag’s Leap producing world class wines.
We began our tasting with our passionate host, Patrick, and enjoyed the 2023 Elia Rose with a touch of Cabernet Franc.
We then had a side by side tasting of the 2021 Fay Cabernet, 2021 SLV Cabernet and 2021 Cask 23. The tasting was outside in the members lounge overlooking the sensational vineyards.
The wines were all very special and we took home a couple bottles of the 2023 Elia Rose and a 2021 bottle of the Fay Cabernet.
In conclusion, Stag’s Leap has a rich history and a ‘must do’ Napa experience.
For more information and to make a reservation go to:
https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/
