Five Napa Valley Judgment of Paris Participants Offer Joint Tasting Passport

NAPA, Calif., March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the famed Judgment of Paris, five of the Napa Valley wineries that participated in the 1976 Paris Tasting will offer visitors a passport allowing them to secure one special tasting at each winery over the course of three months.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160302/339840

The participating wineries include Chateau Montelena Winery, Clos Du Val, Freemark Abbey, Spring Mountain Vineyard and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Passes go on sale Wednesday, March 2, for $200 on CellarPass (JOPPassport.com).

With the pass, visitors will enjoy the following from participating wineries:

• Chateau Montelena Winery invites guests for its popular Limited Release Tasting, a unique seated tasting experience in the private Library Room that includes older vintages of both the Napa Valley Chardonnay and Estate Cabernet Sauvignons among others. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
• Clos Du Val invites passport holders for an exclusive Vineyard Cabana Tasting. Seated in one of the Vineyard Cabanas, guests are provided with a one-of-a-kind self-guided wine tasting. A selection of four limited-release, winery exclusive wines are presented to savor while enjoying the beautiful views of the Stags Leap Vineyard. RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
• Freemark Abbey offers its Collector's Cabernet Tasting, an in-depth experience that walks guests through current Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon releases from the historic Bosché and Sycamore Vineyards on the Rutherford Bench, along with other special and limited release Cabernets. RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
• Spring Mountain Vineyard invites visitors to experience the beauty and history of Spring Mountain during a tasting of five estate grown wines from current and library vintages. Each guest's guided sensory exploration takes place in the 1885 Villa Miravalle or in the 19th century caves. An informative walk around the Miravalle Vineyard, with its opulent gardens and pastoral vistas offers a feast for all your senses. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
• Stag's Leap Wine Cellars will provide passport holders with an Estate Collection flight showcasing the historic winery's finest wines from its FAY and S.L.V. estate vineyards, including the highly acclaimed CASK 23. RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

On May 24, 1976, a who's-who of French wine influencers gathered for a blind tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines at the Paris InterContinental Hotel organized by wine merchant Steven Spurrier. On the white side, four white Burgundies were tasted against six California Chardonnays, which was followed by a red wine tasting where four Bordeaux were pitted against four California Cabernets.

When the scores were tallied, Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon topped their respective categories. The results proved that California could produce some of the world's finest wines and that American wine industry had come of age.

For information, photos, or samples, please contact Stephen Schmitz of Calhoun & Company Communications at stephen@calhounwine.com.

SOURCE Chateau Montelena