Stags Leap District
Napa Valley
The site of the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, where a Cabernet Sauvignon from here beat top Bordeaux in a blind tasting. The rocky, volcanic soils and the warmth trapped by the Stags Leap Palisades produce Cabernet of power and velvety texture.
The wines of Stags Leap District are made primarily from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Napa Valley varieties.
Vineyard Map
Climate
The towering Stags Leap Palisades create a natural amphitheater that traps warm air and extends the growing season, while afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay provide crucial cooling. This results in a warmer microclimate than the valley floor but with more moderation than higher elevation sites.
Terroir
The Stags Leap District sits on ancient volcanic bedrock from the Vaca Mountains, overlaid with Pleistocene alluvial fans and colluvial deposits. The well-draining rocky soils force vine roots deep into fractured volcanic substrata, while the porous volcanic base provides excellent drainage yet retains enough moisture for sustained vine growth.
Notable producers
Estates that shape how this region tastes.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
1976 Judgment of Paris winner
Shafer
Hillside Select, benchmark district Cabernet
Clos du Val
Bordeaux-inspired Stags Leap Cabernet
What it tastes like
Body
Full
Acidity
Fresh
Tannin
Firm
Oak
Oaky
Ripeness
Rich
Concentration
Concentrated
Full-bodied, concentrated and fresh with firm, fine-grained tannin and a fair bit of oak; dark cherry, cassis and violet over graphite, silky and long.
black fruit · red fruit · floral · graphite · silky
Similar styles
Lands in the same glass.
Grapes of Napa Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
What grapes grow in Stags Leap District?▼
What soils are found in Stags Leap District?▼
Map data: TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)