Total Trail Miles: 27.7
“Like a vinous shot heard round the world” - Barbara Ensrud, Wall Street Journal.
The Judgment of Paris was a wine competition that pitted premium French wine against American counterparts during a 1976 exposition in Paris, France. The blind tasting was organized by a British wine merchant (Steven Spurrier) who presented ten Chardonnays and ten Cabernet Sauvignons to a panel of wine experts, mostly French. The winning results, a Napa Valley's Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and Cheateau Montelena Chardonnay rocked the world and forever changed the perception of California wine.
Start the trail at the winery responsible for producing the winning Cabernet, Stags Leap Wine Cellars. Founded by Warren Winiarski and family in 1970, the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon beat the best of France with the first vintage of grapes from vines that were only three years old. Pretty amazing.
Continue up Silverado Trail, make a left at the Oakville Cross Road and right on Highway 29. Heitz Cellars is on the right hand side five miles up. The Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon didn't fare well in this competition but the single vineyard Cabernet has been a collector's favorite for the past five decades. Taste Martha's and two other Heitz Cabernet's in their beautiful tasting room along Highway 29.
Stay on Highway 29 north for another couple miles until you reach the only winery among 19 to present a Chardonnay and a Cabernet at the competition. Freemark Abbey didn't win either category but the double placement established the winery as a Napa standard. This winery dates back 125 years and showcases a century old stone structure with adjacent gardens.
Final stop, Chateau Montelena. Continue north on '29' until you reach Bale Lane, cross the floor and continue north on Silverado Trail. At trails end, make a right on Highway 29 and head north until you reach Tubbs Lane. The entrance to Chateau Montelena is on the right hand side a quarter mile in. Vintner Jim Barrett's 1973 Chardonnay was produced with Sonoma fruit but ultimately judged the best among five French and five California competitors. You can see the Hollywood version of this story in the movie Bottle Shock. Wine, history, architecture and gardens make Chateau Montelena a must visit.
Dine at Evangeline in Calistoga (707) 341-3131
Winery Option: Clos du val
The garden at Freemark Abbey | St. Helena AVA
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