Stags Leap
Dominated to the east by an imposing rugged rock outcropping, Stags Leap – the name said to come from an Indian legend- is one of California Wine Country’s oldest legally recognized appellations. Stags Leap is located on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, 5 miles north of the town of Napa and east of the river. The Silverado Trail bisects Stags Leap. Roughly one mile wide by two miles long, the district is about 2,700 acres, half of which are given over to wine grape cultivation.

Soils on the eastern half of the Stags Leap appellation are mainly volcanic. In the lowland area to the west, where a much broader Napa River once ran, old river sediments dominate.
The rock facades of the palisades reflect the heat of the sun onto the vineyards below, causing temperatures to rise quickly. In the evening, the hills of Stags Leap funnel the cool marine

air flowing north from San Pablo Bay. The cooling effect of the breeze, along with nighttime drafts off the mountains, result in lower nighttime temperatures. All of these factors together spell great things for the wine grapes of Stags Leap. The signature varietal of the Stags Leap District is Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact it was a Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon that helped to put California Wines and the California Wine Country on the map when it took top prize for a red wine at the 1976 Paris Tasting competition. Other notable varietals of the region include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sangiovese.

Stags Leap Wineries: 13
Stags Leap Vineyard acres: 1,350

Stags Leap wineries that offer winery tours and wine tasting are: Baldacci, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap cellars, and Chimney Rock.

Wineries

Silverado Vineyards,
Napa,
707-257-1770

Stags' Leap Wine Cellars,
Napa,
707-944-2020

Chimney Rock Winery,
Napa,
707-257-2641