Stags Leap District AVA

Overview

Stags Leap District is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated sub-appellations, forever immortalized by the 1976 Judgment of Paris when Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon defeated top Bordeaux estates in a blind tasting that shocked the wine world. Established as an AVA in 1989, this compact appellation on the eastern side of Napa Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon of exceptional elegance—often described as an “iron fist in a velvet glove”—combining power with silky texture unlike anywhere else in Napa. The district’s unique microclimate and volcanic soils create wines of remarkable consistency and refined character.

Geography & Climate

Location: Eastern Napa Valley; Silverado Trail corridor

Size: ~2,700 acres; ~1,500 acres under vine

Elevation: 50-400 feet (15-122m)

Climate: Moderate (Region II-III)

Growing Degree Days: 2,900-3,200 GDD
Rainfall: 28-35 inches (710-890mm)
Afternoon wind: Key cooling feature

The Stags Leap Palisades:

Rocky volcanic cliffs
Create afternoon wind gap
Cool air flows through
Defines microclimate

Soil Types:

Volcanic ash and rocks (eastern hills)
Alluvial (valley floor)
Well-drained throughout

Key Characteristic: Afternoon cooling + volcanic soils = elegant, silky Cabernet.

Wine Style

Cabernet Sauvignon (Dominant)

Character: Elegant, silky, balanced

Red and black cherry
Cassis
Velvet tannins (signature)
Balanced acidity
Medium to full body
“Iron fist in a velvet glove”

Style Distinction:

Napa Area	Character
Stags Leap	Elegant, silky
Rutherford	Dusty, earthy
Oakville	Powerful, concentrated
Howell Mountain	Tannic, structured

Supporting Varieties

Merlot, Cabernet Franc: Blending; some varietal Petite Sirah: Historic presence

Classification & Regulations

AVA Status: Established 1989

First “District” AVA: Named “District” (not “Valley”) due to compact size

Federal Requirements:

85% from Stags Leap District

History

Timeline:

1893: First vineyards (Horace Chase)
1970: Modern plantings begin
1973: Warren Winiarski plants S.L.V.
1976: Judgment of Paris—world changes
1989: AVA established
Today: Premier Napa sub-appellation

The Judgment of Paris (1976):

Blind tasting in Paris
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 ranked #1
Beat Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion
Put California wine on world map
Wine history watershed moment

Key Constraints & Production Notes

The Naming Controversy:

Winery	Spelling
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars	Apostrophe before “s”
Stags’ Leap Winery	Apostrophe after “s”
Stags Leap District AVA	No apostrophe

Decades of legal dispute resolved; all coexist

Winemaking:

French oak dominant (18-24 months)
Gentle extraction (preserve elegance)
Extended maceration (some)
Blending (most add Merlot/Cabernet Franc)

Aging Potential:

Standard: 10-20 years
Top wines: 25-40+ years

Notable Producers

Quality Benchmarks:

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (historic; S.L.V., Fay)
Stags’ Leap Winery (original estate)
Shafer (Hillside Select benchmark)
Clos Du Val
Chimney Rock
Baldacci
Cliff Lede
Taylor Family
Regusci
Pine Ridge
Malk Family

Shafer Hillside Select: Modern benchmark; cult status; eastern hillsides.

The 1976 Judgment of Paris

Wine World Transformation

The Tasting:

Organized by Steven Spurrier
9 French judges (all experts)
Blind tasting: California vs. France
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 won red
Chateau Montelena 1973 won white

Impact:

Proved California quality
Launched Napa Valley premium era
Changed global wine perception
“The tasting that changed wine forever”

Common Challenges

Vineyard Economics

Cause: Highest land prices in Napa.
Risk: Access; consolidation.
Response: Premium pricing; quality focus.

Style Pressure

Cause: High scores for powerful wines.
Risk: Loss of signature elegance.
Response: District identity; winemaker commitment.

References

TTB (2025). “Stags Leap District AVA.” Link
Taber, G. (2005). “Judgment of Paris.” Scribner. WorldCat
Napa Valley Vintners.

Last Updated: January 11, 2026
Data Sources: TTB, Napa Valley Vintners
Research Grade: Technical reference

Permitted Varieties