Hands of Time: Winemaker Summit at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Honors a Tradition of Mentoring and Excellence

Napa, California, February 18, 2003 - Stag's Leap Wine Cellars extensive and resonating effect on New World winemaking was evidenced by the 30 prominent winemakers who attended the Hands of Time: Winemakers' Reunion, February 10, 2003. All of them were "alumni", having spent an important portion of their careers at the winery. They came together to cast their handprints in limestone for a permanent exhibit at the winery and later enjoyed stories and wines from their shared past. One of the recurring themes was how the passion for quality in winemaking translated from Warren Winiarski through to the next generation of winemakers, and continued forward to those they themselves now mentor and inspire.

The alumni guest list was impressive. It included Bob Sessions of Hanzell Vineyards, John Williams of Frog's Leap, Richard Ward of Saintsbury, Ricardo Herrera of Screaming Eagle, Paul Hobbs of Paul Hobbs Winery, Michael Silacci of Opus One, and John Kongsgaard of Kongsgaard Wine and Arietta. Dorothy Tchelistcheff and Mary Jane Fay shared touching memories on behalf of their husbands, Andr" Tchelistcheff and Nathan Fay, both of whom had an intimate connection with the winery. Fay's widow, Mary Jane, shared her last three bottles of '68 Nathan Fay Cabernet Sauvignon with the group, (a wine which famously had inspired many of the group as well as others in the industry). George Taber, the author of the original TIME magazine article on the '76 Paris Tasting, was also in attendance to capture this unprecedented gathering of winemakers for his upcoming book on that landmark event for California wines. Three members of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History American Wine and Food History Project were also present to interview the alumni.

The unique gathering inspired a string of memories from this impressive group of vintners, all of whom have made a significant mark on modern day winemaking. Their stories ranged from amusing anecdotes to emotional outpourings of gratitude. All shared a deep respect for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and those that had come before them, as well as a common quest for excellence in winemaking.

"I learned so much here. I learned so much about the concept of attention to detail. I thought I knew what I was doing when I walked into this place [Stag's Leap Wine Cellars] and it was like having drawn a two-dimensional picture and seeing what three dimensions were all about," shared Jac Cole, Charles Krug Winery.