by Fred McMillin for July 8, 1997 The Leap, From Bordeaux to Stags Prologue: After practical training at a Bordeaux chateau, Bernard finished his formal education at the French winemaking schools of Toulouse and Montpellier. Now he was ready to make wine, but where? The Rest of the Story: Someone else in Bordeaux was wondering where to make wine, too. His name was John Goelet, a direct descendant of the Guestier branch of the venerable Barton and Guestier wine house. He wanted to find some other place in the world to make wine the equal of Bordeaux's. It was a dream come true when John asked Bernard Portet to accompany him on a world-wide search for the ideal wine site. That was 1970. In 1972 they selected the Stags Leap District on the east side of the Napa Valley and produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon, from purchased grapes. In 1976 that first Cab finished eighth in the legendary Spurrier Paris tasting of the best French and California bottles. Ten years later there was a rematch, and the winery, Clos du Val, this time won FIRST place! Clearly, John and Bernard had succeeded in finding the right location to make Cabernets the equal of those of Bordeaux. Mission completed. Currently available: 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley Clos Du Val Winery Contact—Margaret Kearns, (707) 259-2231 $24 Postscript: About that hands-on training Bernard received at a Bordeaux chateau...the trainer was Bernard's father, who was head of winegrowing for two decades. The chateau made what critic Oz Clark called "probably the most famous red wine in the world." It was Chateau Lafite-Rothschild! About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers.	Read more articles by Fred McMillin in the eGGsf Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend Current WineDay January WineDays February WineDays March WineDays April WineDays May WineDays June WineDays 07/07/97 Call Up the Reserves? 07/04/97 Winery of the Week Palmer Vineyards 07/03/97 The Two Black Opals 07/02/97 An Underground Chardonnay 07/01/97 B & G? Oui, Oui!
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