Founded in 1970, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is the winery which won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris.
The Stag’s Leap Vineyard (S.L.V.) was planted in 1970 on soils predominantly volcanic in nature and contribute multi-layered structure, concentration and spicy intensity - often referred to as the “fire” elements. This vineyard produces wines with complex black fruit and berry character, excellent structure and complexity, promising long life and ageability. Today, the property includes roughly 35 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.5 acres of Merlot.
The Fay Vineyard adjoins the S.L.V. and is where the story of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars began. Established by pioneering grape-grower Nathan Fay in 1961, it was the first planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in what is now the Stags Leap District. The vineyard was purchased by the winery in 1986 and named in his honor.
Fay’s soils, more alluvial in makeup, yield more of the “water” elements of softness, perfume, and rich berry qualities. It produces fruit with an abundance of supple red and black berry character, voluptuous perfume and a luscious, fine-grained texture. The 66-acre vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with a half-acre of Petit Verdot.