The majesty of Stags’ Leap Winery astonishes many first-time visitors. Located on the east side of the Napa Valley, the 240-acre California estate rests in its own intimate valley, graced with natural beauty, historical buildings, gardens, and a legendary reputation for elegant wines that express their unique terroir.
The terroir is so singular, in fact, that it inspired the formation of the Stags Leap viticultural district in 1989, nearly 100 years after the winery was founded. History buffs and romantics alike relish the tales about its storied grounds. The old stone Manor House was built in 1892 by the Chase Family, who named the estate Stags’ Leap. Stories of a speakeasy, bootleggers, gangsters, movie stars, ghosts, and gypsies follow, including a colorful chapter in the 1920s, when the Manor House served as one of the Napa Valley’s most prominent country retreats.
But through the centuries marked by changes in family owners and fashions, one thing has remained constant: the land that grows Stags’ Leap’s superlative wines. The soils in this “valley within a valley” are diverse, yet mainly fall under two categories: volcanic, and gravely clay loam. Both soil types are coarse and retain little water, yielding intense fruit and rich wines that show remarkable finesse and intensity.
Winemaker and General Manager, Christophe Paubert, applies the winemaking philosophy he learned in his native France—to showcase the fruit and not the winemaker’s hand—but he applies a technical understanding of the process. “I believe that wine should express the uniqueness of the land,” Christophe says, “and Stags’ Leap wines have always showcased one of the most distinctive regions in the Napa Valley.”
Advanced appointments are necessary for those wishing to visit Stags’ Leap, but those who make them are well rewarded. They will enjoy an enchanting, intimate 90-minute historical tour and tasting that pairs Stags’ Leap’s legendary history with its handcrafted wines.
What to Buy Wines
’10 Cabernet Sauvignon The Leap – $85
Black cherry, blueberry, cassis
’10 Petite Sirah Napa Valley – $45
Generous aromas, black fruit, clove spice
Special Notes
Known for Petite Sirah and Bordeaux varietals, Stags’ Leap Winery is home to one of California’s first “swimming tanks.”
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
