In 1981, Napa Valley was the first region in California to receive the designation of an American Viticultural Area, but its winemaking history goes back much further than that. The area is located in Northern California and boasts approximately 700 grape growers and around 475 wineries. Laws prohibit further development across 90% of the region, protecting the heritage and future of the region’s viticulture.
Stags’ Leap Winery sits in its own designated sub-AVA, known as Stags Leap District. The winery sits on 240 acres, with 85 under vines. It’s a special place with unique features and characteristics that make it a must-see on everyone’s list of California wineries to visit. Here are seven things that make the winery and its wines stand out.
1. Stags’ Leap Winery Has a Long History
Established in 1872, the Stags Leap estate became the region’s second vineyard. By 1892, wine grapes covered 80 acres, and then-owner Horace Chase constructed a 150-foot wine cave into the Stags Leap Palisades. This same owner also built the original Manor House, much of which was preserved during a restoration project in the 1970s. Over more than a century and a half, this estate has been around, and the walls and grounds have collected intriguing stories of hauntings, monkey mishaps, and questionable deeds. During a tour of the Manor House and grounds, visitors hear the tales that bring the history of Stags’ Leap Winery to life.
2. The Valley Has a Unique Terroir
The winery estate sits in a cozy little valley in the Napa Valley region. Its location has unique features that make our wines like no other. On the east side of the valley is the rocky outcropping that forms the Stags Leap Palisades, which stand high enough to keep the vines in the shade during the morning hours. Those same rocks send volcanic rhyolite and tuff onto the valley floor, enriching the soils with minerals. These nutrients combine with ancient riverbed sediment, adding a nuanced flavor to the grapes that make our wines unique.
3. Stags’ Leap Winery Estate Has a Unique Microclimate
The Palisades are also responsible for creating a microclimate within the valley. The rocky face absorbs afternoon heat and radiates it back into the valley as the evening wanes and the sun sets. Moist, cool air also enters the valley from the south. By morning, the rocks have lost their heat, and the air from the San Pablo Bay cools things off a bit. This unique microclimate slows the ripening process, producing a richer and more flavorful grape.
4. The Winery Produces Renowned Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is synonymous with Napa Valley and has always been a mainstay in the winemaking program at Stags’ Leap Winery. The Leap Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of the most expressive barrels from select blocks of the century-old, 240-acre estate. These blocks produce a long-lived wine that exemplifies both richness and elegance and speaks to the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District.
5. Stags’ Leap Winery Honors Both Tradition and Experimentation
The winery’s history is important to the winemaking tradition, but we don’t live solely in the past. We take pride in our heritage grapes while also testing new vines and varieties. We devote most of our 23 blocks to cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petite sirah grapes, but we have one block set aside for our growing explorations. Additionally, this plot is planted with heritage vines grafted from petite sirah vines originating in plantings from the 1930s.
6. The Estate Sits on Beautiful Grounds
Wine tasting adventures are all about the atmosphere, and Stags’ Leap Winery is an idyllic location to let your palate explore as your eyes take in the beauty of the grounds. As you pass through our entrance, you are transported into another world. When you walk through our carefully and artistically landscaped grounds, you can take in views of the surrounding hillsides and vineyards while inhaling the scents of exotic flowers and plants and admiring architectural features from the estate’s early days. The castle-like Manor speaks of another era and another continent. Modeled after the English Renaissance designs on the outside, with an arts-and-crafts interior, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Enjoy a tasting while you relax with estate views spread before you.
7. Stags’ Leap Winery Caters to Adventurers
This estate wouldn’t be what it is today without the curious and adventuresome spirits of those who came before, from the earliest land-grant inhabitants to the Doumanis, who saw the promise, restoring structures and grounds to the beautiful condition visitors see today. We feel a kindred spirit with those who have a love of exploration and adventure. We aim to offer you something new, a memorable experience in a unique location with distinctive wines to please your palate. Though your first visit to the winery is special, each visit after offers an opportunity to discover something new in our place, our wines, and yourself.
"This was a wonderful experience. The wine was fantastic, our hostess was wonderful and the atmosphere was beautiful. Remember Stags’ Leap - this is the one to go to."
-Tripadvisor Guest
Stags’ Leap Winery Offers an Experience to Remember
Are you thirsty for wine and adventure now? Stags’ Leap Winery awaits your visit, ready to give you the experience to remember. Our tastings are intimate and leisurely experiences, allowing you to soak up the history and beauty of the estate while exploring the unique flavors of our wines. Whether you prefer porch sitting or a tasting in our communal tasting room, we ensure you receive top-notch service and unbeatable wines. Book your visit today and get ready for a new adventure.
