Italian wine group Marchesi Antinori has acquired Arcadia Vineyard in Napa Valley, previously owned by Warren Winiarski, founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. This purchase reunites the vineyard with Stag’s Leap under Antinori’s ownership.
Winiarski, who played a pivotal role in putting Napa Valley on the wine map after his 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed in the historic Judgement of Paris in 1976, bought the 55-hectare Arcadia Vineyard in 1996. After selling Stag’s Leap in 2007, he retained ownership of Arcadia until his death at the age of 95 last year. The vineyard has historically supplied grapes for Stag’s Leap.
Antinori became the sole owner of Stag’s Leap in 2023 and recently completed the acquisition of Arcadia from Winiarski’s estate, although financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. Juan Muñoz-Oca, the COO of Antinori USA, expressed excitement about the acquisition, highlighting the vineyard’s exceptional quality and location.
Arcadia Vineyard comprises 34 hectares planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with a small section dedicated to Merlot. Located at the base of Mount George in Napa Valley, the vineyard’s name is derived from the Greek concept of an idyllic paradise.
Furthermore, Winiarski had made a significant contribution to local conservation efforts by donating a portion of the vineyard to the Land Trust of Napa County, ensuring that it remains undeveloped.
Piero Antinori, a 25th-generation vintner from the family firm, expressed joy at the reunion of Arcadia with Stag’s Leap, noting that both he and Winiarski recognized the potential of the Coombsville AVA, making the acquisition even more significant.