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Chimney Rock at 40
Four Decades of Stags Leap Excellence
WRITTEN BY Fran Miller
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Published On: January 05, 2026
PHOTO courtesy of Chimney Rock
This year marks a milestone for Chimney Rock: the winery’s 40th anniversary. For Winemaker and General Manager Elizabeth Vianna, the occasion is both personal and profound.
“I’ve made wine here for 23 of those vintages,” she reflects. “To watch this estate fulfill its potential has been an incredible privilege.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the winery is releasing a special 2023 bottling—its 40th vintage of Stags Leap District Estate Cabernet Sauvignon—a wine that embodies four decades of dedication to the land, the vines, and the team that has shepherded it forward.
A Journey Through Four Decades
Chimney Rock’s evolution is a story of vision and reinvention. The Wilson family first planted the estate in 1980, experimenting with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet. In the 1990s, Winemaker Doug Fletcher led a replanting effort that elevated the estate’s quality.
“He planted clonal diversity, matched rootstock to every piece of soil, and really had a long-term vision for how to optimize quality,” says Vianna.
The next chapter began when the Terlato family purchased the property. Their investment provided a state-of-the-art winery and expanded Cabernet plantings.
“They gave Chimney Rock wings,” Vianna notes. “They built us a brand-new winemaking facility and planted an additional 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s been this incredible journey of investment and commitment to quality.”
A Symphonic Expression of Stags Leap District
The commemorative 2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon captures the full diversity of the property, from hillside blocks to valley floor plantings.
“This wine is the estate ambassador,” says Vianna. “It’s a symphonic representation of time and place, and it will always carry the signature marks of quintessential Stags Leap District—black fruit, expressive aromatics, savory notes, and that balance of finesse and power.”
Texture is equally defining. “The tannins are silky but structured, with beautiful length and freshness of acid,” she explains. “It’s that interplay that defines who we are.”
The release is made even more significant by the season itself. The 2023 harvest has already been hailed as another Napa Valley “vintage of a lifetime.” Chimney Rock’s pairing of its 40th vintage with such an extraordinary growing season makes this wine a true crowning moment.
A Team Effort, A Shared Celebration
For Vianna, the 40th vintage is also a celebration of collaboration.
“Six pairs of hands make these wines year after year,” she says. “Half of our team has been here for a decade or longer. That continuity, that shared journey of learning the vineyards and working together, is what makes this anniversary so special.”
The celebration comes on the heels of a major accolade: Chimney Rock’s 2021 Cabernet was named the #5 Wine in the World by Wine Spectator.
“It confirmed for us that we’re on the right path,” says Vianna.
As the winery raises a glass to 40 vintages, Vianna hopes fans will join in a toast.
“Here’s to the past four decades,” she says, “and to the many still to come.”