Stags Leap Wine Cellars
When I arrived at Stags Leap Wine Cellars my first thought was “Now THIS is a winery”. And I’ve been to a lot of wineries. This place is like something out of a film. The stunning views of the Stags Leap Palisades and vineyards are exactly what you picture when you imagine yourself winetasting. And Stags Leap Wine Cellars offers so much more than that-wines, views, history and a feeling of genuine hospitality. It almost feels like you’ve spent the afternoon in a really elegant museum- with wine.
The FAY outlook and visitor center was designed by Javier Barba, an architect from Barcelona. There is glass for days, and it’s incredible to see those mountain peaks through floor to ceiling windows as you sip on wine and chat with the tasting room attendant. We were fortunate enough to have Allsion “aka Smiley Riley” helping us - her knowledge of the winery’s history was impressive, and she was genuinely pleased to answer our questions about the wine-and anything else that popped into our heads!
If you’ve read our previous blog, you know that Stags Leap AVA is what put Napa on the map for reputable Bordeaux style wines, and this is the winery that did it. In 1976 a blind tasting took place featuring notable French wines and unknown California wines. This later came to be known as The Judgement of Paris, and it was unprecedented that the California wine from Napa won first place.
This event was so historical, and established the reputation of California wines in such a big way that the winning bottles are featured in the Smithsonian. You can also check out those bottles here, as well as the letter Stags Leap received informing them of their big win. It gives you a thrill to read the letter that pretty much set Napa on a whole new course.
So if you’re coming from far away, and you want to start your wine tasting adventure in a winery that surpasses elegance and history, visit Stags Leap Cellars. And if you’re from around here and have not yet visited, put it on your list. This is really what it’s all about. – Lea Gourley
