End of an era: famed Napa Valley winemaker Warren Winiarski dies

Warren Winiarski's Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon bested top French wines at a blind tasting in 1976, transforming the reputation of California wine.

photo credit: Kent Porter/The Press Democrat
Warren Winiarski in his Arcadia Vineyard in Napa County.

Acclaimed Napa winemaker Warren Winiarski has died at the age of 95.

Winiarski was made famous for his success in the 1976 "Judgement of Paris" wine tasting.

In the competition, Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon emerged victorious in a blind tasting against heralded French wines.

Winiarski and fellow Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, who's Chateau Montelena Chardonnay also claimed victory in the blind tasting, helped launch Napa Valley wines to the top shelves of wine shops around the world.

Winiarksi spoke with KRCB following Grgich's passing in December 2023.

"Mike and I were both strangers to the Valley," Winiarski said. "And we both over the course of time prospered because of the Valley. Both of us in different ways with the welcome and the opportunities that the Valley provided."

Winiarski, who founded Stag's Leap Cellars with his late wife Barbara in 1973, poured some of his focus in later years into philanthropy, conservation, preparing vintners for climate change, and into preserving food and wine history.

A private service is planned for Winiarski, who died Friday, June 7th; a public celebration of life is expected in the coming months.