Half a century after the Judgement of Paris: celebrations in Napa Valley and London

The wine world is preparing to commemorate one of the most momentous events in its modern history: the 50th anniversary of the legendary 1976 Judgement of Paris, that blind tasting which shook the foundations of traditional oenology by demonstrating that Californian wines could rival—and surpass—the great French names.

The verdict that changed history

In May 1976, at the Hotel Intercontinental in Paris, a panel of French experts evaluated wines without knowing their provenance. The result was unexpected: amongst the reds, the 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon SLV from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars obtained the highest score, beating prestigious Bordeaux. In the white wine category, the 1973 Château Montelena, also from Napa Valley, triumphed over the great names of Burgundy.

George Taber, then a journalist for Time magazine and the only member of the press present, published the news that sparked international controversy. That verdict marked a turning point: the questioning of the unquestionable supremacy of French wine and the opening towards productions from other countries.

Celebration in Napa Valley

Seven emblematic wineries that participated in that historic tasting—Chateau Montelena, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Clos du Val, Freemark Abbey, Heitz Cellar, Mayacamas Vineyards and Spring Mountain Vineyard—have joined forces to organise a series of commemorative events that will extend throughout the year.

These properties, which continue to be benchmarks of Californian viticulture five decades later, will offer visitors exclusive experiences designed to immerse them in that historical legacy.

Featured experiences:

The participating wineries have prepared special tastings that include library vintages and rare wines linked to the Judgement of Paris era. Amongst the offerings are vertical experiences spanning several decades, historical visits to original facilities and heritage vineyards, and gastronomic events in collaboration with the valley’s leading restaurants.

Château Montelena invites visitors to discover «The Story Behind the Bottle» and «The Legacy in a Glass», whilst Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offers the «Estate Experience» focused on the SLV vineyard that produced the winning wine.

Clos du Val, founded in the Stags Leap District following a global search by the Goelet family and winemaker Bernard Portet, presents a «Retrospective Decade Tasting». Freemark Abbey, one of the few wineries with representation in both reds and whites in 1976, proposes tastings by appellation and by decades.

Heitz Cellar, known for producing the first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa, offers experiences centred on its legacy and the iconic Martha’s Vineyard. Mayacamas Vineyards, from its location on Mount Veeder, presents «Estate Classic» and «Estate Reserve» tastings, whilst Spring Mountain Vineyard combines historic wines with its impressive botanical gardens.

The London tribute

Parallel to the Californian celebrations, London will host a special event on 5 March at the Cornus restaurant, organised by Vinous Icons under the direction of critic Antonio Galloni, founder and chief executive of Vinous.

The gathering will bring together Marchese Piero Antinori, honorary president of Marchesi Antinori; Renzo Cotarella, chief executive of the historic Italian firm; and Juan Muñoz-Oca, current director of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, which has belonged entirely to the Antinori family since 2023 following its complete acquisition.

The tasting will include the iconic 1973 vintage alongside a selection of vintages spanning six decades of production, allowing appreciation of the evolution and consistency of these legendary wines.

Reflections on the impact

«I had the opportunity to spend time with the late founder Warren Winiarski on several occasions,» explains Antonio Galloni. «He maintained a deep passion and intellectual curiosity until the end of his life, demonstrating an uncommon humility for someone who had achieved so much. Winiarski’s legacy endures in the wines he produced, the people he influenced and the experience he left for the current generation of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars».

The critic emphasises that the significance of the Judgement of Paris transcends simple competition: «It is widely considered a crucial moment, as it demonstrated that American wines could compete with French ones. But it was much more than that».

In a recent conversation, Aubert de Villaine, co-proprietor of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and one of the original participants in the Paris tasting, confessed that the result represented «a wake-up call for French producers». Jean-Philippe Delmas, of Château Haut-Brion, echoed this sentiment.

Half a century later, the consensus is clear: the Judgement of Paris had a profound and lasting impact on the entire fine wine industry, democratising excellence and opening the doors to global wine diversity.

For anyone planning to visit the Californian wine region this year, the celebrations offer a unique opportunity to toast in the very places where history was forged. Full details, itineraries and bookings are available at www.jop50.com and on the websites of each participating winery.