Road trips around California: Legendary wineries and where to find them

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In partnership with California Wine Institute

Road trip in California: Legendary wineries and where to find them

Where can you find the most talked-about Californian wineries, and what can you do there?

The legend: 1976 Judgment of Pariswine tasting

Image: Judgement of Paris, wine-tasting event of 1976 © Gary Myatt 2012. From left to right: Raymond Oliver (uncovering the bottle of Chateau Montelena), Sir Peter Michael (not at the tasting but the owner of The Vineyard at Stockcross which commissioned Gary Myatt’s 2012 mural ‘After the Upset’), Patricia Gallagher, Pierre Tari, Michel Dovaz, a waiter, Pierre Brejoux, Odette Khan, Steven Spurrier (foreground), Christian Vannequé, Aubert de Villaine, Claude Dubois-Millot, Jean-Claude Vrinat and George Taber (with a copy of Time under his arm)
Image: Judgement of Paris, wine-tasting event of 1976 © Gary Myatt 2012. From left to right: Raymond Oliver (uncovering the bottle of Chateau Montelena), Sir Peter Michael (not at the tasting but the owner of The Vineyard at Stockcross which commissioned Gary Myatt’s 2012 mural ‘After the Upset’), Patricia Gallagher, Pierre Tari, Michel Dovaz, a waiter, Pierre Brejoux, Odette Khan, Steven Spurrier (foreground), Christian Vannequé, Aubert de Villaine, Claude Dubois-Millot, Jean-Claude Vrinat and George Taber (with a copy of Time under his arm)

The Paris wine tasting of 1976, commonly referred to as the ‘Judgement of Paris’ in the wine world, was a wine competition organised by Steven Spurrier, then a young wine merchant in Paris, on 24 May 1976 with the intention to promote the expansion of wine production in the new world.

To everyone’s surprise, Chateau Montelena 1973 and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973, both from California, were ranked as the best white and red in each group, although French wines were generally considered as the most prestigious in the world at that time.

Where in Napa can you find the two legendary wineries? Scroll down to find maps and visit information.

(Source: www.discovercaliforniawines.co.uk)

Chateau Montelena

Calistoga AVA

Image credit: California Wine Institute
Image credit: California Wine Institute

1429 Tubbs Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515

(707) 942-5105

Wine brands

Chateau Montelena

Signature Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Zinfandel

Amenities:
Tours, Weddings/Events

Chateau Montelena's tradition of excellence started in 1882, came into international recognition with the Paris Tasting in 1976, and continues today with its handcrafted world-class Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag’s Leap AVA

Image credit: California Wine Institute
Image credit: California Wine Institute

Address:

5766 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558

(866) 422-7523

Signature Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc

Amenities:
Art Display/Museum, Sustainable/Organic/Biodynamic, Tours, Unique Architecture/Caves

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has a long and distinguished wine reputation and is considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate. We are best known for our estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons—CASK 23, S.L.V., and FAY. Over the years, these wines have become some of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide. They are fashioned to express classic elegance, structure, and ageability, and to reflect the place in which they are grown.

The legendary winemaker: Robert Mondavi

L-R: Cesare Mondavi, Robert Mondavi and Rosa Mondavi at Stanford University in 1936. (Image credit: UC Davis Special Collections)
L-R: Cesare Mondavi, Robert Mondavi and Rosa Mondavi at Stanford University in 1936. (Image credit: UC Davis Special Collections)

In addition to revolutionising California wine, Robert Mondavi was the pioneer of Napa wine tourism, and his striking Mission-style winery continues to offer an hospitable welcome to visitors today.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Oakville AVA

Image credit: California Wine Institute
Image credit: California Wine Institute

Founded in 1966, Robert Mondavi winery celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

7801 St. Helena Hwy 29
Oakville, CA 94562

(707) 968-2267

Wine brands

Robert Mondavi Winery, Woodbridge

Signature Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc

Amenities:
Art Display/Museum, Concerts/Performances, Tours, Weddings/Events

Opus One

Oakville AVA

Opus One was founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and renowned Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi.

By combining the great winemaking traditions and innovations of both families, the founders' singular goal was to create a wine of ultimate quality. French in style but Californian in execution, Opus One is produced with uncompromised attention to detail. Beginning with the first harvest in 1979, Opus One is most often a blend of five grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

7900 St. Helena Hwy
Oakville, CA 94562

(707) 944-9442

Wine brands
Opus One

Signature Varietals:
Red Blends

Amenities:
Tours

Click to read on the next page:

Four wineries from the Sideways wine trail

Translated by Sylvia Wu / 吴嘉溦

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