Warren Winiarski facts for kids

Warren Winiarski (born October 22, 1928 – died June 7, 2024) was a famous Napa Valley winemaker. He was the person who started and owned Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Winiarski also owned Arcadia Vineyards in Napa Valley. This vineyard grows grapes like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In 1976, Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon won a very important wine competition called the Judgment of Paris. This made his winery and California wines famous around the world. He also led the Winiarski Family Foundation, which helps with education and charity. In 2017, he was added to the California Hall of Fame for his work in promoting and protecting California wine. The Smithsonian Institution also gave him a special medal in 2019.

Early Life and Learning

Warren Winiarski was born in 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Stephen and Lottie Winiarski, owned a business that rented out horses and carriages. His father also made homemade wines from honey, fruit, and dandelions for special family times.

Warren went to St. John's College in Maryland. He studied classic books and ideas there and graduated in 1952. Later, he went to the University of Chicago to study political ideas. While at St. John's, he met Barbara, who became his wife in 1958.

In 1954, Warren spent a year in Italy studying a political thinker named Niccolò Machiavelli. During this time, he decided he wanted to become a winemaker. He also taught at the University of Chicago. He later earned a master's degree from the university.

Making Wine in California

In 1964, Warren and Barbara Winiarski moved to Napa Valley, California. Warren started working as a winemaker's helper at Souverain Cellars. Then, in 1966, he became the first winemaker at Robert Mondavi Winery.

In 1968, Winiarski left Robert Mondavi Winery. He started a project to make wine in Colorado. He chose California grapes that were sent to Denver to be made into wine. Even though he still lived in California, this project helped start the Colorado wine industry.

In 1970, Winiarski and some friends bought a 44-acre farm in Napa Valley. They removed the old fruit and nut trees and planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. In 1973, Winiarski built a winery near the vineyard. He named it Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. The next year, he created a special wine called Cask 23.

The Famous Judgment of Paris

In 1976, something amazing happened. Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon won the Judgment of Paris wine tasting. This was a "blind tasting," meaning the judges didn't know which wine was which. French wine experts tasted California wines against famous French wines. Warren's wine won first place! This victory brought worldwide fame to California, Napa Valley, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Protecting Napa Valley Wines

In 1989, Warren helped create a new law in California. This law, called the Conjunctive Labeling Law, said that if a wine was from a small area inside Napa Valley, it also had to say "Napa Valley" on the label. This helped make sure that both the smaller areas and Napa Valley as a whole became more famous for their quality wines. It made Napa Valley even stronger as a world-class wine region.

Honoring Winemakers

In 2003, many winemakers who had worked with Winiarski honored him. They created a special monument at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars called "Hands of Time." Each winemaker put their hands into wet cement to make a plaque. These plaques were put up at the winery to remember the lessons learned there.

Wine and American History

In 1996, Winiarski and his wife, Barbara, started a project with the Smithsonian Institution. It was called the American Food & Wine History Project. This project uses the story of food and wine to understand American history better. It looks at the long history of wine in the United States.

In 2012, a bottle of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon was added to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. This bottle is now part of the museum's permanent collection. It was even included in a book called "The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects." This book features very important items like Neil Armstrong's space suit and Charles Lindbergh's plane.

In 2007, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars was sold to two companies for $185 million. Warren Winiarski continued to help the Colorado wine industry. He judged wine competitions and received an award for being a "Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry." He also continued to own and run Arcadia Vineyards in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

The Winiarski Family Foundation has given money to many important causes. They support efforts to protect nature and history, especially related to wine and food. They have helped the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and land trusts in Napa County.

In 2018, the Winiarski Family Foundation gave a huge gift of $50 million to St. John's College. This money helped the college lower tuition costs for students by $17,000. It made it easier for students to afford their education.

In June 2018, Winiarski also gave $3.3 million to the University of California, Davis. This money helped build a large collection of works by wine writers in the university's library.

In 2020, the Winiarski Family Foundation gave $150,000 to a wine program at Western Colorado Community College. This money helps students with scholarships and supports research for winemakers and grape growers in Colorado.

Protecting Land

Warren Winiarski was a strong supporter of protecting agricultural land in Napa Valley. He helped pass laws like the Napa Ag Preserve in 1968. This law helps keep farmland from being used for other buildings. Since 1990, Winiarski has given almost 200 acres of his own land to the Land Trust of Napa County. This includes the vineyard that won the Paris Tasting and his current property, Arcadia Vineyards.

Awards and Honors

Warren Winiarski received many awards for his work:

• 2019: James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian Institution.
• 2018: American Legend Wine Star from Wine Enthusiast.
• 2018: Friends of the Colorado Wine Industry award.
• 2017: Inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
• 2017: Acre by Acre award with his wife, Barbara, from the Land Trust of Napa County.
• 2017: Person of the Year from Czas Wina Magazine in Poland.
• 2016: United States Congressional Resolution for the 40th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris.
• 2013: Thomas Jefferson Award.
• 2012: His 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon was named one of the "101 Objects that Made America" by Smithsonian Magazine.
• 2010: Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Chicago.
• 2009: Inducted into the Vintner Hall of Fame.
• 2008: Wine Lifetime Achievement Award from the California State Fair.
• 2006: United States Congressional Resolution for the 30th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris.
• 2004: "Vintner of the Year" award from COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts.
• 1992: Award of Merit from St. John's College.
• 1988: Harry Waugh Trophy for his 1977 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon.
• 1976: First Place at the Judgment of Paris for his 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon.

See also

• List of wine personalities
• Judgment of Paris (wine)
• Stag's Leap Wine Cellars