Stags' Leap Winery

The winery was founded by Horace Chase and his wife Minnie Mizner Chase, sister of the future Florida architect Addison Mizner. Mrs. Frances Grange acquired Stags' Leap Winery from Horace Chase in 1913. She transformed the property into a working ranch and resort. Wine production ceased due to Prohibition. The vineyard remained, however, with the grapes being sold to other producers. Wine production began again in earnest in 1971 when Stags' Leap was purchased by Carl Doumani. Over a period of almost three decades, Doumani restored and improved the property. The winery's signature product was its Petite Sirah at the time an undervalued grape used mostly for blending purposes. In 1988 Doumani hired winemaker Robert Brittan, who became president when the winery was sold to Beringer Wine Estates in 1997. The winery is now owned by Treasury Wine Estates, formally Fosters of Australia, who also purchased Beringer Vineyards. Along with Baldacci Family Vineyards and others, Stags' Leap Winery is a member of the Stags Leap District Winery Association. ==See also==