Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, owned by the Italian group Marchesi Antinori, has announced the acquisition of the Arcadia Vineyard in Napa Valley from the estate of its late founder, Warren Winiarski. This acquisition reunites the two properties, formerly under the same ownership.

Warren Winiarski, founder of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (whose 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon famously won the "Judgment of Paris"), purchased the 55-hectare Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville in 1996.  He owned both properties until 2007 when he sold Stag's Leap to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Marchesi Antinori.  Winiarski retained ownership of Arcadia, which supplied grapes to Stag's Leap, until his death last year. Marchesi Antinori, owners of Stag's Leap, have now acquired Arcadia, reuniting the two estates.

1976, the late Winiarski won the Judgement of Paris blind tasting for his 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, which helped put the wines of California, Napa Valley, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars up on the world stage.

In the announcement of the sale, Marchesi Antinori commented: “My friend Warren Winiarski has always been very attached to this vineyard of his. When he decided to sell Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 2007 he made it a condition that he could retain ownership of the Arcadia Vineyard. Warren, in fact, like us, recognised the Coombsville AVA as one of the most promising areas of the Napa Valley. This is why we are particularly thrilled today to have been able to reunite this vineyard with the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars property.”

Located on the east side of Napa Valley, Arcadia Vineyard has 34ha under vine, primarily growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, along with some Merlot. The vineyard was named after the idyllic location of Arcadia in Greek mythology.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team