Remembering Warren Winiarski: Napa Valley’s Pioneering Winemaker Passes Away at 96

The creator of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and proprietor of Arcadia Vineyards, who gained international recognition for his expertise with Cabernets, and left a lasting impact on Napa Valley, has passed away.

Warren Winiarski, the trailblazing winemaker behind Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and owner of Arcadia Vineyards, died at the age of 96.

In 1970, Winiarski bought a 50-acre fruit orchard in Napa Valley and transformed it into a vineyard for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, as well as continuing to cultivate some existing Petite Sirah vines. His first wines under the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars label were released in 1972.

That year, Winiarski’s winery was part of a notable cohort of nearly two dozen new wineries, including Burgess Cellars, Caymus, Chateau Montelena, Clos du Val, Diamond Creek, Silver Oak, Spottswoode, and Stags’ Leap Winery, which was located merely a mile from Winiarski’s winery. This group, primarily focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, went on to influence the character of California and Napa Valley wines for the following generation.

In 1976, Winarski submitted his 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to a competition organized by British wine merchant and author Steven Spurrier. This event, known as a blind tasting, compared Californian wines against French wines in their respective categories. The Stag’s Leap Cabernet triumphed over renowned Bordeaux wines in the Cabernet category, while Chateau Montelena won for Chardonnay against Burgundies. This event, termed the Paris Tasting of 1976 or The Judgment of Paris, gained fame through a brief mention in Time magazine, significantly elevating the status of California wines globally. In 2014, Winiarski honored the Smithsonian National Museum of American History by donating a bottle of the esteemed 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet to its permanent collection.

Stag’s Leap is renowned primarily for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons, particularly the Cask 23 blend and its Fay and S.L.V. labels, though it also produces Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc among others.

Characterized by his slim stature, distinctive swept-back hair, and intellectual demeanor, Winiarski was a figure of elegance and scholarly allure. He was revered for his openness and expertise, cultivating numerous relationships with key winemakers across the region.

“Warren was a father figure, friend, and mentor all rolled into one,” shared Michael Silacci, winemaker at Opus One, who worked under Winiarski at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars from 1995 to 2001. “Our foundation was his steadfast commitment to perfection and his profound respect for nature, including oaks, streams, vineyards, wine, and the environment. Warren’s mentorship was marked by challenging questions, enlightening insights, diverse perspectives, and a unique humor. He taught me the importance of rigorously testing ideas and practices before presenting them, always prepared for Warren’s discerning scrutiny. His excellence set a benchmark in the Napa Valley.”

While piloting his winery, Winiarski was also a leader for Napa Valley’s wine industry as a whole. He was among the first proponents of the Napa Agricultural Preserve in 1968 and also helped to define the labeling requirements for wines that carry the Napa Valley AVA designation.

Winiarski oversaw 35 vintages at his winery before he sold his operation in 2007 to a partnership of Washington’s Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Tuscany’s Piero Antinori for $185 million. (It’s now owned fully by Antinori.) At the time, the price seemed astronomical, jolting the valley. From the estate holdings, Winiarski kept Arcadia Vineyard, initially purchased in 1996 and located in the Coombsville AVA. He continued to produce his own Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot bottlings.

Winiarski was born in 1928 in a heavily Polish neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. His parents owned a livery business, and his father made non-grape wines for home consumption. In his youth, Winiarski was initially on an academic track, studying western classics at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, from which he graduated in 1952. While there, he met his wife, Barbara; they were married in 1958. He went on to pursue post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago, spending a year in Italy.

During his time in Europe, he decided he wanted to be a winemaker. He cut his studies short and returned to the U.S., eventually moving to California with Barbara in 1964. He secured his first job as assistant winemaker to Lee Stewart at Souverain Cellars. He then became the first head winemaker at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1966. He left Mondavi in 1968 and briefly made wine in Colorado, using California grapes, before returning to California in 1970.

Winiarski was known for his philanthropic endeavors. His family foundation generously provided $50 million to St. John’s College, his alma mater, and dedicated 200 acres to the Land Trust of Napa Valley. In 2021, Warren and Barbara contributed a $4 million bequest to the Smithsonian Institution, aiding the American Food History Project. A committed advocate for environmental causes, he also recently funded $450,000 towards research aiming to revise the Amerine-Winkler Index, updating it to better match the varieties suited for various regions under evolving climate conditions.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!