"To walk the property—
or to taste from its
cellar—is to feel the
presence of those who
came before."
e land has passed through many hands
since the 1800s—through Mexican land
grants, homesteads, and the hands of
dreamers and pioneers. By 1872, vines
were in the ground, and by the 1880s,
Horace Chase, a refined bachelor from
Chicago, and Mary Ysabela "Minnie"
Mizner, a socialite from Benicia, had
transformed a portion of the estate into a
private haven for art, music, and lavish
gatherings. eir manor became a beacon
for San Francisco's elite, drawing guests
who came not only for the wine but for the
world it represented.
By the early 20th century, Clarence and
Frances Grange had taken over. ough
they never intended to make wine, the
vineyard remained active. Aer Clarence
suffered a debilitating accident, Frances
stepped into the role of proprietor and
visionary. She converted the estate into a
destination known as Stags' Leap Manor—
one of Napa's most talked-about resorts at
the time. Stories of secret gatherings,
eccentric pets, and glittering soirées are
woven into the fabric of the property,
adding a layer of mystique that still lingers.
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