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The Stag's Leap Wine Cellars wasn't always as successful as it is today. In actuality, it had very modest beginnings. Former philosophy professor Warren Winiarski and his wife Barbara bought a run-down 44-acre vineyard in Napa Valley back in 1969. Despite having little prior expertise, they set out to build an outstanding winery.

The couple's dedication and labour of love were rewarded in 1972 when they produced their first, highly regarded vintage. However, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars didn't become well-known all over the world for another five years.

It was not until 1976 at the 'Judgement of Paris', a competition where California wines are pitted against French wines in a blind taste test, that the turning point finally occurred.
In the red wine category, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars triumphed over illustrious French brands like Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion. This triumph changed the course of the winery's history and made it a household name.

Since that time, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has been regarded as a pioneer in the California wine business and has come to be associated with premium wines. Particularly its Cabernet Sauvignon, which quickly became well-known and a favourite of wine enthusiasts globally.

The Judgement of Paris unquestionably changed the playing field for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and cemented its position in the wine industry. But the winery's achievement is also a reflection of the Winiarskis' tenacity, toil, and unrelenting devotion to winemaking.

Read our blog - Uncovering the History of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars