The History of the Famous Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars!!
If you are reading this post, it is probably because you love wine as much as I do!! In this blog post I will share a little bit about a historic and world famous winery that is known for the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, and it is also where I‘ve been working for the past 3 years. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, known for winning the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting, was founded in 1970 and is considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate.
The founders of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Warren Winiarski and Nathan Fay, named the winery after the legend of a stag that successfully eluded hunters by leaping to freedom across the district’s mountain. In 1972, the winery’s first vintage of S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon was produced. Then in 1973, the first building was completed allowing people to visit the winery and taste the historic S.L.V. (Stag’s Leap Vineyards) wine.
In 1974, the first vintage of CASK 23 was produced by winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. While tasting through the lots of wine from that vintage, Andre decided one lot in a large wooden cask numbered 23 was so beautiful and deliciously distinct that it should be bottled separately. The CASK 23 is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon which comes from the best grapes of each the FAY and S.L.V vineyards. It’s the highest quality wine and the price of one bottle is around $300 dollars. Welcome to Napa Valley!!
In 1976, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars went on to win the Cabernet Sauvignon category in a blind tasting in Paris that involved American and French wines and expert tasting judges.
Finally in 2000, The Napa wine caves were completed with an entrance called The Arcade, designed by Barcelona-based architect Javier Barba. There are over 34,000 square feet of tunnels as well as one of an estimated 50 Foucault pendulums in the world, which is suspended from the ceiling and marks the passing of time and the aging of wine.
Currently Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is part of the legacy of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates large company that has several different wineries located in several states throughout the United States.
In 2014, FAY Outlook & Visitors Center opens, allowing tourists to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the FAY Vineyard while experiencing an unforgettable tour and wine tasting. I highly recommend scheduling a visit, and remember to make an appointment for a cave tour + tasting!!!
Cheers,
Isabel Freeman (Napavalleytip)
Emily, The JetSetting Fashionista
Definitely would love to visit Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars one day! I must try a glass of their famous Cabernet Sauvignon!