Stags Leap District, the birthplace of iconic American Cabernet Sauvignon, today announced that 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of this world class region as one of the first sub American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the Napa Valley. Recognized as an official AVA in 1989 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Stags Leap District was the first sub-AVA to be defined completely by soil, climate and natural barriers. Its AVA status and distinctive terroir are a result of the combination of rolling hills, cooling wind, loam and clay soils, and the west-facing range of the Vaca Mountains.
The Stags Leap District is the smallest producing Napa AVA by acreage, and wines from this region remain limited, highly allocated and collected. Approximately 90% of the 1,200 acres currently planted to grapevines in the district are Cabernet Sauvignon or other Bordeaux varietals.
"The Stags Leap District produces some very age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines," said Kelli White, Sommelier at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena. "The region is truly a place of distinction. The geography of Stags Leap District makes it different than any other place in the Napa Valley and results in the seductive, soft tannins for which Stags Leap District wines are highly regarded."
While 2014 marks the silver anniversary for the AVA; Stags Leap District has been a grape-growing region since the mid-1800’s. The first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1961 by pioneer Nathan Fay. His fruit was in high demand and sourced by winemakers throughout the valley in the early 1970’s. In 1976, the famed Tasting of Paris catapulted the region into the global spotlight when French judges awarded a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars first place over legendary Bordeaux producers.
Ten years later, when the same wines were tasted blind a second time, top honors again went to a Stags Leap District wine, the 1972 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Stags Leap District is represented by one of only two American wines in the Smithsonian National Museum of History.
"The beauty and lushness of the wines produced in this region were around long before Stags Leap District was named an AVA," said Doug Shafer, President of Shafer Vineyards. "It was a privilege to be here in the early days when my dad, John Shafer, helped organize our neighbors to pursue official recognition. Over the past 25 years the appellation has continued to evolve and is now widely recognized as a special site for world-class wines. Even so, it really feels like we're just getting started."
"Stags Leap District was the first area to be recognized for its world-class American Cabernet Sauvignon and really was the birthplace of America’s Cabernet culture," said Michael Beaulac, General Manager and Winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards and President of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association. "Stags Leap District is one of only a handful of Napa Valley appellations that matter and the producers in this region continue to be visionaries committed to crafting the best quality wines."
Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.
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