One last toast: Warren’s winning legacy

In the words of legendary American radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, “And now you know … the rest of the story,” Jim Sperk of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild would like to wrap up the tale he’s told Mimi readers over the last few months of the Judgement of Paris wine contest. 

“In recent months, we’ve looked at the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris wine contest that pitted U.S. wines against the best of France,” says Jim. “We reviewed Mike Grgich’s award-winning Chardonnay, the wine at the heart of the movie ‘Bottle Shock.’ But that movie never mentioned the other wine, the red wine, that defeated all the best French red wines in that contest.”

The winning wine was the Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa, California. That wine, as well as Chateau Montelena and nearly two dozen other Napa wineries, debuted in 1972. 

“Stag’s Leap winemaker/founder was Warren Winiarski, along with his wife, Barbara,” says Jim. “Warren was born in Chicago, pursued an academic career at St. John’s College in Maryland and continued his postgraduate studies at The University of Chicago, during which he spent a year in Italy. It was there that he was exposed to a lifestyle that included wine with daily meals. Warren became preoccupied with the idea of making wine, devoted himself to the subject and decided to become a winemaker.” 

Upon returning to the U.S., Warren’s path closely paralleled Mike Grgich’s. Both men apprenticed at Chateau Souverain then both moved on to Robert Mondavi Winery before making wine on their own. Warren, who also owned Arcadia Vineyards, sold his operation in 2007.

Primarily known for his Judgement of Paris win, Warren is also remembered for his philanthropic contributions. The Winiarski Family Foundation donated $50 million to St. John’s College and 200 acres to the Land Trust of Napa Valley. 

“Warren and Barbara made a $4 million bequest to the Smithsonian Institution to support the museum’s American Food History Project,” adds Jim. 



Warren Wisniarski passed away in June 2024 at the age of 95. He was preparing for his 60th harvest in the Napa Valley.

For information about the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, contact Jim Sperk at tinymoonwines@usa.net.