Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Wine Country Travel Guide

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski, is a Napa Valley first-growth estate celebrated for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery gained international recognition at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, where its 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed over prestigious French Bordeaux wines, solidifying Napa Valley's place in the world of fine wine.The winery's name and the Stags Leap District appellation are derived from a local legend about a stag leaping through a notch in the Stags Leap Palisades to evade hunters. The estate features two primary vineyards: S.L.V. (Stag's Leap Vineyard) and FAY. S.L.V., planted in 1970, has volcanic soil that contributes to the wine's structure and intensity. FAY, acquired in 1986, was the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the Stags Leap District, with alluvial soils that impart softness and rich flavors.Visitors to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars can experience the winery's history and legacy through various tasting experiences at the FAY Outlook & Visitor Center. These include estate collection tastings, cave tours with wine and food pairings, and private tastings. The visitor center, designed by architect Javier Barba, offers views of the vineyards and the Stags Leap Palisades. Reservations are required for all wine tastings.