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Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: Single vineyards and selection from two vineyards
This producer is based in Stags Leap District, Napa Valley. Their 1973 Cabernet took top red at the 1976 Paris Tasting. They make single-vineyard wines from S.L.V. and FAY, and blend fruit from both for Cask 23.
By reviewing the history of S.L.V. and FAY, we determine where the grapes for Cask 23 come from.
Questions for this course
Is Cask 23 the name of a third vineyard?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars / Learn from the Producer
USA / California / Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Alternate names & notations: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars / Stag’s Leap / Stags Leap Wine Cellars
Updated: 2026-10-06
History of the two vineyards
S.L.V. is a vineyard first planted in 1970. FAY was planted by Nathan FAY in 1961 and acquired by the winery in 1986. Planting year and acquisition year are separate events, so do not confuse the year the current owner planted it with these dates.
The origins of Cask 23
Cask 23 is a label that began with a special lot selected from the original barrel of S.L.V. in 1974. The number is tied to the wine's history and does not represent 23 varieties or 23 years of aging.
Both vineyards in 2022
The 2022 Cask 23 uses grapes from S.L.V. and FAY. There is a distinction between the original historical blend and the currently confirmed one. It can be organized as two single-vineyard wines and a wine selected from both.
What to align and what to compare.
History
- Conditions to standardize
- Two owned vineyards
- Conditions for comparison.
- Year of planting and acquisition
- Additional points to confirm
- Who planted it
Label
- Conditions to standardize
- Cask 23
- Conditions for comparison.
- Starting point in 1974 and grape sources in 2022
- Additional points to confirm
- Historical and current specifications
Raw material
- Conditions to standardize
- 2022 Cask 23
- Conditions for comparison.
- S.L.V. and FAY
- Additional points to confirm
- How does this differ from a single-vineyard wine?
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Next article →Progress is recorded as the completion of reading articles. This does not include completion of explanatory assignments.
- 1↗
United States
Napa Valley: From valley floor to mountain vineyards
Read about the sub-AVAs within Napa.
- 2↗
United States
Label exercise: What do the 75%, 85%, and 95% figures represent?
Clarify the distinction between vineyard names and brand names.
- 3↗
United States
The basics of AVA and origin labelling
Separate the scopes of AVA, vineyard name, and brand name.
READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars document analysis: Single vineyards and selection from two vineyards
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | S.L.V. | FAY |
|---|---|---|
| Start of planting | 1970 | 1961 |
| Acquisition history of ownership | Foundational vineyard for the winery | Acquired in 1986 |
| Cask 23 2022 | Supply some of the grapes | Supply some of the grapes |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What about FAY 1961?
S.L.V. is a vineyard first planted in 1970. FAY was planted by Nathan FAY in 1961 and acquired by the winery in 1986. Planting year and acquisition year are separate events, so do not confuse the year the current owner planted it with these dates.
What is the starting point of Cask 23?
Cask 23 is a label that began with a special lot selected from the original barrel of S.L.V. in 1974. The number is tied to the wine's history and does not represent 23 varieties or 23 years of aging.
What are the 2022 raw materials?
The 2022 Cask 23 uses grapes from S.L.V. and FAY. There is a distinction between the original historical blend and the currently confirmed one. It can be organized as two single-vineyard wines and a wine selected from both.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | S.L.V. | FAY |
|---|---|---|
| Start of planting | 1970 | 1961 |
| Acquisition history of ownership | Foundational vineyard for the winery | Acquired in 1986 |
| Cask 23 2022 | Supply some of the grapes | Supply some of the grapes |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Describe the relationship between the two vineyards and Cask 23, distinguishing the original 1974 release and the 2022 documentation.
Check after writing
- Distinguish the planting year from the year of acquisition.
- Do not interpret numbers in wine labels as years or number of grape varieties.
- Do not apply the specifications of the starting year to other years.
Save response to explanation task
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