LOS ANGELES, CA.- Christie's partnered with Stag's Leap Wine Cellars to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Judgment of Paris. The online auction, Fine & Rare Wines: Featuring The Reserve Cellar and 50th Anniversary Wines Direct From Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, will take place on Christies.com from July 1 to July 15 and will feature 50 exceptional lots that showcase the estate's pioneering legacy and its enduring influence on the world of fine wine.
The centerpiece of the sale is the 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon — offered as one bottle per lot, estimate $4,000–6,000. The sale will also feature a selection of rare vintages of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon from 1978, 1977, 1975, and 1974.
An extraordinary experiential lot will also be offered: a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon Salmanazar 2023 paired with an exclusive winery experience, including a private visit to Napa with winemaker Marcus Notaro, a behind‑the‑scenes estate tour, tasting, and dinner. Estimate $4,000–5,000.
Bidders will also have the opportunity to secure a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Vertical lot, featuring 16 rare vintages, including the Judgment of Paris 50th Anniversary S.L.V. Magnum. Only 1,973 magnums were produced, each sourced from the last remaining block of original S.L.V. vines planted in 1972, the “grande dame” of the vineyard. Each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a bespoke wooden case with hand-applied anniversary detailing, standing as a rare expression of place and provenance, and a true once-in-a-lifetime release.
The 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted by Warren Winiarski, founder and former winemaker of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. This is the legendary wine that surpassed France's greatest reds at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting organized by Steven Spurrier and Patricia Gallagher. A panel of nine esteemed French judges evaluated top reds and whites from France and California without knowing their origins. The results were groundbreaking: California wines outscored France in both categories, sending shockwaves through the wine world.
This landmark victory established Napa Valley as a world‑class wine region and secured Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' place among the most celebrated estates globally. In this 50th anniversary year, this auction offers collectors a rare opportunity to engage with the winery's storied past while celebrating its continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and the future of American winemaking.
Chris Munro, Head of Wine, Americas, comments: “Stag's Leap Wine Cellars holds a singular place in the history of American wine, and it is a privilege for Christie's to present this remarkable collection in honor of the Judgment of Paris. The 1974–2023 vertical is not only an extraordinary testament to five decades of winemaking excellence, but also a rare opportunity for collectors to engage directly with the legacy that helped redefine Napa Valley's global standing. We are delighted to bring these bottles to auction and to celebrate a milestone that continues to resonate across the world of fine wine.”
Juan Muñoz-Oca, Estates Director, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars comments: “The Judgment of Paris was a defining moment for Napa Valley and helped establish American wine on the global stage. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of that historic tasting, this Christie's auction offers collectors a rare opportunity to experience a piece of that legacy firsthand. Featuring one of the most significant releases from our library cellar, including a bottle of the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon, the auction celebrates the wine that helped shape Napa Valley's reputation as one of the world's premier winegrowing regions and honors the vision of our founder, Warren Winiarski.”
