Fifty years ago, seven wineries put Napa Valley on the map. They'll be celebrating all year long.

"2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, the blind wine tasting in Paris that pitted a collection of little-known California wines against French icons. At the time, it wasn't considered much of a competition; the expectation was that the French wines would easily prevail. So, when both a California red and a California white took top honors, it knocked the wine industry off its feet and put Napa Valley on the map."

"Seven Napa Valley wineries were chosen to compete in the Judgment of Paris: Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Clos du Val, Freemark Abbey, Heitz Cellar, Mayacamas Vineyards, and Spring Mountain Vineyard. To celebrate the golden anniversary, they're offering special tasting flights, historical tours, culinary events, and more. They've joined forces to create a website that serves as a sort of travel guide and one-stop shop for a plethora of activities scheduled over the next year in celebration of the Judgment of Paris."

"Chateau Montelena This Calistoga winery released its first wine in 1972. Its second release, the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, was the white that rose to the top in Paris. (The winemaker, Miljenko Mike Grgich, went on to establish Grgich Hills Estate in Rutherford, with Austin Hills, a member of the Hills Bros. Coffee Company family.) Chateau Montelena features a stone estate built in the late 1800s and a Chinese garden, so make some time before or after your tasting to wander the property."

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, when California wines unexpectedly beat French icons in a blind tasting and raised Napa Valley's profile. Seven Napa Valley wineries participated: Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Clos du Val, Freemark Abbey, Heitz Cellar, Mayacamas Vineyards, and Spring Mountain Vineyard. Anniversary programming includes special tasting flights, historical tours, culinary events, and a joint website serving as a travel guide and central event calendar. Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay won the white category and the estate features historic grounds and a Chinese garden. Stag's Leap's 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won the red category and still uses fruit from its original vineyard.

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