Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley Icon in Every Glass

Updated → February 2026

The FAY Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars showcases the singular terroir of Napa Valley's first planted Cabernet vineyard. Expect layered blue fruit, Amarena cherry, licorice, and floral spice on a palate brimming with fresh fruit intensity. Available at Bel Pre Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, MD for $225.99.

Introduction

Certain vineyards transcend the ordinary, and the FAY Vineyard at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is one of the most storied sites in all of American winemaking. When Nathan Fay planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the Stags Leap District back in 1961, he established the very first Cabernet vineyard in what would become one of Napa Valley's most celebrated appellations. The wine produced from those original blocks and their successors carries a depth and complexity that only decades of rootstock maturity and meticulous stewardship can deliver.

Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate's tribute to that founding vision. Each vintage captures the unique combination of volcanic soils, sheltered exposures, and the cooling afternoon breezes that define this pocket of the valley floor. For collectors, serious wine enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the intersection of history and craft, FAY stands as an essential bottle. And right now, you can find it at Bel Pre Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Market Overview

Premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon continues to command respect on the global wine stage. The Stags Leap District AVA, officially recognized in 1989, has been a driving force behind Napa's reputation for producing world-class Cabernet. The region earned international fame when a wine from this very district topped French Bordeaux at the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, forever changing how the world viewed California wine.

Within this elite district, single-vineyard designations carry particular weight. Bottles bearing the FAY Vineyard name represent a tier of exclusivity that puts them alongside the finest vineyard-designate Cabernets from Oakville, Rutherford, and Howell Mountain. Demand for wines in this category has remained strong, with collectors recognizing that site-specific expressions from top producers offer both drinking pleasure and long-term value.

At $225.99, the Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sits comfortably within the upper echelon of Napa Cabernet pricing, where it competes with comparable single-vineyard releases from peers like Shafer, Cliff Lede, and Clos Du Val. The quality-to-price ratio remains compelling for a wine with this pedigree and track record.

Style & Flavor Profile

The FAY Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an immediately captivating bouquet of blue fruit, including blueberry and blackberry compote, layered with notes of Amarena cherry and a thread of licorice that adds savory depth. Floral spice, think dried violets and crushed lavender, lifts the aromatics and gives the wine an almost perfumed quality without ever feeling heavy or overwrought.

On the palate, the wine delivers a generous wave of fresh fruit flavors that stay remarkably precise. Dark plum and cassis form the core, supported by accents of graphite, cocoa nib, and a subtle herbal undertone that speaks to the volcanic terroir of the vineyard. The tannins are polished and fine-grained, providing structure without aggression, while the acidity keeps everything lively and focused through a long, mineral-tinged finish.

What distinguishes FAY from many premium Napa Cabernets is its balance between power and elegance. This is not a wine that relies on sheer extraction or oak to impress. Instead, it draws its personality from the vineyard itself, resulting in a Cabernet that is both immediately approachable and built for the cellar.

How It's Made

The FAY Vineyard sits on the western benchland of the Stags Leap District, where well-drained volcanic and alluvial soils force the vines to dig deep for nutrients and water. This natural stress concentrates flavors in the berries and contributes to the wine's characteristic intensity and mineral backbone. The vineyard benefits from the gap in the Vaca Mountains, which funnels cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay across the vines, moderating temperatures and preserving acidity during the growing season.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars employs a combination of hand-harvesting and rigorous fruit selection to ensure only the finest clusters enter the winery. Fermentation takes place in a mix of stainless steel and oak vessels, with careful temperature management to extract color and flavor without harsh tannins. Extended maceration allows the wine to develop complexity before pressing.

Aging occurs in French oak barrels, with a percentage of new wood that complements rather than dominates the fruit. The cooperage selection is deliberate, favoring barrels that contribute subtle toast, vanilla, and spice while allowing the vineyard's voice to remain front and center. The resulting wine spends roughly twenty months in barrel before bottling, giving it a seamless integration of fruit, oak, and structure.

Food Pairings

A wine of this caliber deserves equally thoughtful food pairings. The FAY Cabernet's combination of ripe fruit, fine tannins, and balanced acidity makes it a natural companion for rich, savory dishes. Prime cuts of beef, whether a dry-aged ribeye, a slow-roasted prime rib, or a classic filet mignon with bordelaise sauce, all find an ideal partner in this wine.

Lamb is another outstanding match. A rack of lamb with a rosemary and garlic crust, or braised lamb shanks with root vegetables, will complement the wine's herbal undertones and dark fruit character. For something less traditional, try it alongside duck breast with a cherry reduction, where the Amarena cherry notes in the wine create a seamless bridge to the plate.

Cheese courses work beautifully with FAY as well. Aged Gruyere, Comte, or a well-matured cheddar will stand up to the wine's structure, while the fruit and spice in the glass add dimension to each bite. Even a simple board of hard cheeses, cured meats, and dark chocolate makes for a memorable pairing experience.

How to Serve

Serving the FAY Cabernet Sauvignon at the right temperature and in the right glass will make a meaningful difference in your experience. Aim for a serving temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the bottle has been stored in a cellar, let it warm slightly before opening. If it has been at room temperature, a brief stint in the refrigerator for fifteen to twenty minutes will bring it into the ideal range.

Use a large-bowled Bordeaux glass to give the wine room to breathe and develop its aromatics. Younger vintages will benefit from decanting for at least one hour before serving. This allows the tannins to soften and the aromatic complexity to fully unfold. Older vintages may need only thirty minutes in a decanter, or you can simply pour and let the wine open gradually in the glass.

Cocktails & Mixing

A wine of this stature and price point is best enjoyed on its own or alongside food rather than as a cocktail ingredient. The complexity and nuance of the FAY Cabernet Sauvignon would be lost in a mixed drink, and the investment deserves to be appreciated in its purest form.

That said, if you enjoy wine-based cocktails in general, Cabernet Sauvignon works well in preparations like a classic red wine sangria or a wine-forward spritz for casual occasions. For those explorations, consider using a more accessible Cabernet and saving the FAY for the kind of focused tasting it was designed for.

Buying Guide

When purchasing a bottle of Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, provenance matters. You want to buy from a retailer that stores wine properly, in temperature-controlled conditions away from direct light and vibration. Bel Pre Beer & Wine meets this standard, offering a curated selection of premium wines with the care they require.

At $225.99, this is an investment bottle. Look for the current release vintage on the label and check for any specific vintage notes that may be available. Different vintages of FAY can show subtle variation depending on the growing season, though the overall house style remains remarkably consistent. If you have the opportunity to purchase multiple bottles, consider buying at least two: one to enjoy in the near term and one to cellar for future drinking.

Availability for single-vineyard Napa Cabernets at this level can be limited. When you see it in stock, it is worth acting promptly rather than assuming it will remain on the shelf indefinitely.

Comparisons vs. Similar Wines

The Stags Leap District is home to several exceptional Cabernet producers, and understanding how FAY fits into the landscape can help frame its value. Shafer Hillside Select, often priced well above $300, is a bolder, more concentrated expression from higher-elevation vineyards in the same district. It favors power where FAY favors finesse.

Clos Du Val Estate Cabernet from the Stags Leap District offers a more restrained, Old World-leaning style at a lower price point. It shares some of FAY's elegance but typically lacks the same depth of fruit and aromatic complexity. Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet, another district neighbor, leans into ripe, extracted fruit with generous oak, making it a more modern-styled wine compared to FAY's classical composure.

Within the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars portfolio itself, FAY is often compared to the winery's other vineyard-designate bottling, the S.L.V. Cabernet. While S.L.V. tends toward firmer structure and darker fruit, FAY is typically more aromatic, floral, and approachable in its youth, though both age magnificently.

Collector & Aging Notes

FAY Cabernet Sauvignon has a well-documented aging trajectory that makes it a strong candidate for the cellar. Top vintages can evolve gracefully over fifteen to twenty-five years, developing secondary aromas of leather, tobacco, dried herbs, and truffle as the primary fruit character transitions from fresh to preserved.

The wine's balanced acidity and fine-grained tannin structure are the keys to its longevity. These elements act as a natural preservative, allowing the wine to maintain freshness and develop complexity over time. Collectors who have tracked older vintages of FAY often note how the wine gains a silky, almost ethereal texture with age while retaining its signature floral lift.

For optimal cellaring, store bottles on their sides in a cool, dark environment between 53 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit with moderate humidity. Avoid temperature fluctuations, which can accelerate aging unpredictably and compromise the cork seal.

Occasions & Gifting

A bottle of Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon makes an exceptional gift for milestone celebrations, from significant birthdays and anniversaries to professional achievements and holiday gatherings. The name carries instant recognition among wine enthusiasts, and the presentation of a vineyard-designate Napa Cabernet at this level communicates both taste and thoughtfulness.

For dinner parties, opening a bottle of FAY elevates the entire occasion. It is the kind of wine that prompts conversation and encourages guests to slow down and savor. Consider pairing it with a carefully prepared main course and letting the wine serve as the centerpiece of the evening.

If you are building a gift around the bottle, include a set of quality wine glasses or a decanter. A handwritten note about the wine's history and the significance of the FAY Vineyard adds a personal touch that the recipient will appreciate.

Storage & Shelf Life

Proper storage is essential for protecting your investment in a wine like FAY. The ideal environment is a dedicated wine refrigerator or a passive cellar that maintains a steady temperature of 53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity should sit between 60 and 70 percent to keep the cork moist and prevent it from drying out, which would allow air to seep into the bottle.

Store bottles horizontally to keep the cork in contact with the wine. Avoid locations near appliances that generate heat or vibration, such as dishwashers, laundry machines, or HVAC units. Light exposure, particularly UV light, can degrade wine over time, so keep bottles in a dark space or a unit with UV-protected glass.

Once opened, the FAY Cabernet should be consumed within one to two days. Use a vacuum pump or inert gas preservation system to extend its life slightly, but a wine this good rarely lasts long once the cork has been pulled.

Local Availability at Our Store

Check stock and pickup options below. If you see it listed, it is in stock at time of viewing. Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is available now at Bel Pre Beer & Wine.

Where to Buy

Grab Stag's Leap Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon now from our online shop. Visit https://www.belprefinewine.com for curbside pickup, delivery zones, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions