Stags Leap District Wine

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Stags Leap District is located on the famous Silverado Trail of the Napa Valley region in northern California. Wine-making there began some time in the 1850s as California came under US control from Mexico and settlers arrived to homestead and chase the gold rush. Occidental Winery, the region’s first commercial one, was founded by Terrill L. Grigsby in the 1870s (now the site of Regusci Winery). The first winery to carry the Stags Leap name was founded by San Francisco entrepreneur Horace Chase. The origin of the name is debatable, but the favorite legend is it’s named for a stag which eluded hunters and leaped across the hills of the property to its freedom.

By the late 1800s, Stags Leap winery was going strong and the area was booming. But Phylloxera took hold and killed many of the vines. The wineries that survived were further tamped down by the Prohibition, and most gave up to grow orchards instead.

1961 marked a turning point when Nathan Fay Read more »

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Popular wines made in Stags Leap District under $20

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S. Anderson Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

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Varietals Produced in Stags Leap District View all

Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...
Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Petite Sirah

History of the grape: Petite Syrah is often confused with its parent grape, Syrah, but it has been identified as a se...

Popular Wineries in Stags Leap District View all

Baldacci Family Vineyards

To fully appreciate the Baldacci family’s commitment to their craft, you really have to taste the...
Chimney Rock Winery

Situated on the fabled Silverado Trail in the world-renowned Stags Leap District of California'a ...
Steltzner Vineyards

Richard Steltzner established his first Stags Leap District Vineyards in 1965 while concurrently ...
Hartwell Vineyards

Bob Hartwell's passion for wine stems from his decades as an avid collector. Bob, a fourth genera...

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Stags Leap District on Snooth

April 2019

Hartwell Estate Miste Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Snoothrank:

Enjoyable, albeit, chewy wine. Dark fruit--blackberry more than currant--with a slight tang. Some suggestion of anise. Tannins are almost completely resolved. Not the longest finish in the world, but just so easy to enjoy. Read More

Wine review by EMark
April 2017

Karo-Kann Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley 2014

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by anstett
January 2017

Amore, you sure like those Italian wines. I would say that one is about ... Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District. This was an excellent wine. Yes, we did have dessert. They gave me an ice-cream bar treat with gold leaf on it and we each ordered a little something to drink. Sandra had a cocktail called 'Smoke Over K2' which cons... Read More

Forum post in the topic Weekend Wines - Post Pictures...
January 2017

I think we need to visit Stags Leap the next time we get down to Napa Valley. In March we are heading to Washington (Walla Walla) and Oregon (Willamette Valley). It might be a few years before we return to the San Francisco area, but we do love it there.Today I was much better. We started out by heading into the district to attend an Opera at... Read More

Forum post in the topic Weekend Wines - Post Pictures...
December 2016

Terlato Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Snoothrank:

578 cases of this offering were produced. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), some Merlot (18%), and Cabernet Franc (2%) were blended in. Black raspberry, cassis and bits of leather inform the nose. The palate is stuffed with blackberry, raspberry and more. Black tea, dried cherries and spices fill out the long, generous finish. Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
December 2016

Taylor Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Snoothrank:

This offering is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Toast, black fruits and hints of dark chocolate are evident on the nose. The palate is stuffed with blackberry, roasted chicory, vanilla bean, and cassis. Bits of kirsch are evident on the finish along with dried cranberry and a sprinkling of mineral notes. Good luck putting this down once yo... Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
December 2016

Steltzner Vineyards Martini Clone Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Snoothrank:

This is 100% Cabernet from the Martini Clone. A mere 156 cases of this beauty were produced. Red plum, cherry and Raspberry and aromas burst from the nose. The palate is stuffed with refreshing raspberry and red cherry notes. Coffee, bakers spices, dusty cocoa and minerals are all in evidence on the lengthy finish. Firm, gripping tannins and rac... Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
December 2016

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard 2013

Snoothrank:

This is 100% Cabernet, entirely sourced from the Fay Vineyard. Dark violet aromas are evident along with plum and blackberry. The full-bodied plate is studded with blueberry, blackberry, spices and more. Bits of cherry peak through on the finish along with earth and continued spice notes. Delicious today itll improve over the next decade and dri... Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
December 2016

Silverado Vineyards Solo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Snoothrank:

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their Silverado Heritage Clone. Black cherry and hints of blackberry are evident on the nose. Plum, red cherry, spices and a core of minerals drive the well-rounded palate. Continued spices, tobacco, sage and reverberating dried red fruit flavors are all present on the persistent finish. Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
December 2016

Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 2013

Snoothrank:

This is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon with a tiny dollop (1%) of Petit Verdot blended in. The fruit comes from a combination of their hillside vineyard and the Borderline Vineyard about 2 miles south of the facility. Red and black cherry aromas are joined by hints of thyme. The palate is robust and beefy with continuing cherry flavors as well as black ... Read More

Wine review by Gabe Sasso
Jun 26, 2011

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