Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is one of California 's most influential wineries and plays a key role in Napa Valley 's international reputation. The estate became world-renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and is a symbol of elegance, precision, and terroir-driven winemaking in California.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is one of California 's most influential wineries and plays a key role in Napa Valley 's international reputation.

Stag's Leap's historic breakthrough

Founded in 1970, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars made wine history during the Judgment of Paris . Its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon left iconic French Bordeaux wines in its wake, forever changing the world's perception of Californian wine.

Why is Stag's Leap Wine Cellars so important to Napa Valley?
Because it proved that Californian Cabernet Sauvignon could compete with the absolute world top.

Location and vineyards

The winery is located in the heart of the Stags Leap District , a subregion of Napa Valley known for elegant, structured Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vineyards benefit from:

warm days for ripeness
cool nights for freshness
volcanic and alluvial soils for structure

This combination produces a Cabernet Sauvignon with power and finesse.

Grapes and style

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars focuses primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon , supplemented with smaller amounts of Merlot , Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for blends.

The style of the house is characterized by:

refined tannins
balance between ripe fruit and freshness
controlled wood use
focus on elegance over heaviness

The motto “ an iron fist in a velvet glove ” sums up the style perfectly.

Iconic wines

SLV Cabernet Sauvignon

The SLV vineyard forms the core of the estate and produced the wine that made history in 1976. This wine is known for its structure, depth, and aging potential.

CASK 23

CASK 23 is the flagship wine from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and is produced only in exceptional years. This wine blends fruit from the finest parcels and is considered one of Napa Valley's great icons.

Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Artemis is more accessible in style and shows how recognisable and consistent the house is, while retaining structure and elegance.

Philosophy and vinification

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars operates with a clear focus on vineyard expression. Vinification and oak use are designed to support the provenance, not overpower it. Precision, selection, and balance are at the heart of the approach.

The house combines classic techniques with modern insights, which contributes to the timeless style of the wines.