Taking a break from his official duties during his final state visit to the United States, the president requested to visit Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Of particular interest to him was the opportunity to meet Warren Winiarski, the winemaker whose wine won the red wine category in the famous 1976 Paris Tasting. “There are not many winemakers in Poland as wine is not a national product. The weather is cool and cloudy and not suitable for growing grapes, and I wanted to meet the people and see the vineyards that won the Paris Tasting,” said President Kwasniewski.

The two shared opinions on many topics ranging from the current economic situation in Poland after its entry into the European Union to the1980 Gdansk shipyard strike where ‘Solidarnosc’, the first free trade union in the communist bloc, began the liberation of Poland from Soviet domination and ultimately led to the breakup of the Soviet control of Eastern Europe. Also discussed was the current difficult situation in the Middle East and Poland’s participation with the coalition’s efforts.

Winiarski’s family immigrated to the United States in the late nineteenth century from Poland. Warren, a native of Chicago, was among the early pioneers in the renascent Napa Valley. “On behalf of my family … including my ancestors who came to this country 120 years ago with a different vision in mind than the one they had in Poland … thank you for honoring us with your presence. Their journey made your visit here today possible,” said Winiarski to the president.

At the conclusion of the luncheon white doves were released to symbolize peace and cooperation between the United States and Poland.

Nearing the end of his second 5-year term in office, the president came to the United States to attend the United Nations World Summit in New York. President Kwasniewski also attended several events in California, including a grand opening at the San Francisco Opera House, a religious service in commemoration of September 11 with Mayor Gavin Newsom, and a Holocaust memorial at the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is a private Napa Valley estate that has been owned by the Winiarski family since they established the winery in 1972 in what is now known as the Stags Leap District. The winery is best known for its three estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons, CASK 23, S.L.V. and FAY, which are among the most highly regarded Cabernets in the world. Warren Winiarski is the owner and founding winemaker and his daughter Julia Winiarski is owner and director of viticulture and enology.

Photos by Keith Rosenthal available upon request