When it comes to the difference between Stags Leap and Stag's Leap, it all boils down to a simple punctuation mark – the apostrophe. This seemingly small difference has caused quite a bit of confusion and even led to a legal battle between two wineries.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Stags' Leap Winery are both renowned wineries located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, California. However, their names are spelled slightly differently, and this has created a distinction between the two.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, founded in 1970, was named after the Stags Leap Palisades, a prominent landmark in the area. The winery was established by Warren Winiarski, who had a vision of producing world-class wines that would rival the best of Bordeaux. The name Stag's Leap refers to the leap of a stag, a male deer, across the palisades.
On the other hand, Stags' Leap Winery, founded in 1893, was named after the Stags Leap District itself. This winery has a rich history, with its first vines being planted over a century ago. The name Stags' Leap refers to the leaping stags that were said to roam the area in the late 19th century.
So, what is the difference between the two names? The placement of the apostrophe. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars uses the apostrophe before the S, while Stags' Leap Winery uses the apostrophe after the S.
This seemingly minute difference in punctuation has led to confusion among wine enthusiasts and even sparked a legal battle between the two wineries. In the 1980s, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars filed a lawsuit against Stags' Leap Winery, claiming trademark infringement. The case went to court, and it was ultimately decided that both wineries had a right to use the name. The distinction would be made by the placement of the apostrophe.
The legal battle highlights the importance of trademarks and the uniqueness of a winery's name. It also showcases the significance of the Stags Leap District and its reputation for producing exceptional wines. Both wineries have been successful in their own right and have made significant contributions to the wine industry.
The difference between Stags Leap and Stag's Leap lies in the placement of the apostrophe. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars uses the apostrophe before the S, while Stags' Leap Winery uses the apostrophe after the S. These wineries were founded and named for the Stags Leap District, and their names pay homage to the natural beauty and history of the area.