Judgement Revisited
A Historic Recreation of the 1976 Judgement of Paris
Napa & Bordeaux – 50 Years of Legacy
May 21, 2026
Wine Tasting & Charity Dinner
1976 Changed History. 2026 Honors It.
An Exclusive Recreation of the Judgment of Paris
History is rarely made; more rarely is it relived.
Fifty years ago, on May 24, 1976, a blind tasting in Paris irrevocably changed the global perception of wine, proving that American vintages could stand—and triumph—over the best of France.
On May 21, 2026, we will recreate the historic wine tasting with the red wines from the 1976 Judgement to commemorate that pivotal moment, honoring the people and places who shaped the future of wine and Napa Valley.
This imitate, invitation-only event serves as a bridge between two rare worlds—historic wines and rare diseases—brought together in hopes of raising critical awareness and funds for the Malan Syndrome.
High Ranch Vineyard: Where History Comes Full Circle
Perched atop the Coombsville appellation, High Ranch Vineyard offers a vantage point into the soul of Napa Valley. Today, the land is lovingly stewarded by proprietors Connie and Shawn Guttersen, but its roots run deep into the valley’s lore.
Formerly owned by the Kongsgaard family, this property shares a spiritual link to the 1976 Judgment of Paris. John Kongsgaard, a titan of California winemaking, worked alongside Warren Winiarski—the man who crafted the winning 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon—on the 1977 vintage. Their friendship and collaboration represent the continuity of American excellence that we celebrate today.
In this setting of profound legacy, guests are invited to an exclusive recreation of the event that started it all.
Renowned critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, will serve as your expert guide, leading guests through a comparative tasting of the ten original red wines from the 1976 Judgment of Paris.
The Recreated Flight | 1976 Red Wine Ranking
1. 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (USA) 2. 1970 Château Mouton-Rothschild (France) 3. 1970 Château Montrose (France) 4. 1970 Château Haut-Brion (France) 5. 1971 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello (USA) 6. 1971 Château Léoville Las Cases (France) 7. 1970 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard (USA) 8. 1972 Clos Du Val Winery (USA) 9. 1971 Mayacamas Vineyards (USA) 10. 1969 Freemark Abbey Winery (USA)
Beyond the Judgment: The Rare Society Dinner
Following the recreation of the historic tasting, the evening transitions from retrospective to celebration. We invite our guests to a Champagne reception, followed by the Rare Society Charity Wine Dinner—an exploration of the era’s most elusive vintages.
This is a gathering for the true collector. We will uncork a selection of Napa and Bordeaux "unicorns" from a similar era—1968–1975—bottles so scarce and profound that many argue they could have rivaled, or even bested, the victors of the original Paris tasting.
To match the magnitude of these wines, Michelin-starred Chef Christopher Kostow will curate a culinary masterpiece. In an intimate, coursed dinner limited to just 12 honored guests, cuisine and history will intertwine.
The "Unicorn" Selection A sample of exclusive pourings of era-defining rarities:
1969 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
1971 Ridge Vineyards Eisele Vineyard
1969 Heitz Martha's Vineyard
1970 Château Latour
1970 Château Trotanoy
1970 Pétrus
All proceeds from this singular experience will directly benefit the Malan Syndrome Foundation.
The Judgement Revisited Curators
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
FOUNDER, THE WINE PALATE
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, M.W. is one of the world’s foremost wine authorities and the Founder of The Wine Palate, internationally respected for her expertise in fine wine evaluation and education. For this historic occasion, she will lead the recreation of the Judgement of Paris tasting and guide the wine experience throughout the charity wine dinner that follows, bringing unmatched insight and rigor to this once-in-a-lifetime evening. -
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Shawn & Connie Guttersen
PROPRIETORS, HIGH RANCH VINEYARD
High Ranch Vineyard is a secluded hillside estate in Napa Valley’s Coombsville AVA, stewarded by Connie and Shawn Guttersen and formerly home to Kongsgaard Winery’s iconic The Judge vineyard—an extraordinary site defined by volcanic soils, elevation, and historic pedigree. -
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Christopher Kostow
3 MICHELIN STAR CHEF
Chef Christopher Kostow is a critically acclaimed American chef best known for leading The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley to the prestigious three Michelin star distinction—one of the highest honors in the culinary world—and earning accolades such as the James Beard Award for Best Chef: West. His current portfolio includes acclaimed projects like The Charter Oak, Loveski Deli, and Ciccio.
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Desmond Echavarrie, M.S.
CEO & OWNER, SCALE WINE GROUP
Desmond Echavarrie, M.S., is the CEO and Owner of Scale Wine Group, where he is known for delivering world-class wine experiences with precision, discretion, and deep industry expertise. For this historic occasion, Desmond has teamed up with Lisa Perrotti-Brown, M.W. to meticulously recreate the Judgement of Paris tasting and orchestrate the charity wine dinner that follows. -
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Phillip & Mary Riesland
EVENT VISIONARIES & WINE CURATORS
Phillip and Mary Riesland are the curators of both the original Judgement of Paris red wines featured in the tasting and the rare, historic wines poured during the charity wine dinner. Together, they conceived and developed this extraordinary evening to honor wine history while raising awareness and support for the rare disease community, with a special focus on Malan Syndrome.
