Freemark Abbey Winery, located in California's Napa Valley, traces its roots to 1886. However, National Prohibition (1920-1933) and other misfortunes prevented the winery from reaching its full potential.

New owners in 1967 made major improvements and in 1969 it won a competition of 23 California, New York, and French Chardonnays. The tasting brought together 14 wine experts, including France's Alexis Lichine.

Freemark Abbey, along with three other California labels, received the top four scores. In fifth place was Beaune Clos des Mouches Joseph Drouhin. Other French wines at the tasting were Corton-Charlemagne Louis Latour, Pouilly-Fuisse Louis Jadot, Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Joseph Drouhin.

Freemark Abbey Winery achieved international recognition when it competed very successfully in the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976.

See also

• California Wine

Source

• Taber, George M. Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Wine Tasting that Revlutionized Wine. NY: Scribner, 2005.

External links

• Freemark Abbey winery
• The Judgment of Paris

Napa Valley wineries