“Dear Angela, I have just had a conversation with Patricia who has arrived safely back home in Paris.
She tells me that the whole event went wonderfully, that it was beautifully organized, and that she had the best possible time, meeting many old friends and making some new ones.

The best news for me was that Paul Draper, bless him, read out the words that I sent to you. I am so thrilled and really moved that he did so. It was incredibly kind of him, Steven would have really really been impressed!

My admiration to you too, and Andrea, for your amazing hard work.”

“Angela dear, You treated me like a queen and I enjoyed every minute of your company, the great men and women involved in the Judgment Of Napa, and each well-planned event. The music was over the top, all so upbeat. Will never forget it. Xoxoxo”

“I enjoyed being a small part of this celebration of Steven, Patricia and George.

I was honored that Bella would ask me to read her words and as you know that convinced me to make the trip. Congratulations on the terrific job you did putting this all together.”

“Hi Angela, What a spectacular event! Thank you for including us. From a bit of an outside observer, it was impeccably orchestrated. Of course, the best part was the inclusion, as much as was possible, of the original brain trust for the Judgment of Paris and not to mention, the selection of renowned international wines. Looking forward to the next Judgment of Napa!”

“The Judgement of Napa was a seminal event on many levels. It brought the original team together – Steven Spurrier, Patricia Gallagher, and George Taber – to clarify and set the record straight about all the events leading up to and during the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris. Together with the support and vision of Angela Duerr of Cultured Vine they worked for two years to stage the second Judgement, this time in the Napa Valley. On October 6, 2021 all their hard work paid off with a day that will be remembered by everyone who was lucky enough to be inside The Charles Krug Winery barrel room as the day unfolded.

Videos taken of Spurrier, Gallagher, and Tabor told the story of both Judgements and solidified their importance to the world of fine wine. Patricia Gallagher made the trip from France to personally represent the original team. Paul Draper read a heartwarming letter to the audience from Bella Lawson Spurrier, reaffirming Steven’s commitment to the new Judgement in Napa. Toasts were in order, but the main event – the Judgement of 10 Cabernet based wines, and 10 Chardonnays by a team of wine collectors and professionals – was the crowning moment. None of the judges had any idea what the wines were, and like the original Judgement of Paris, there were surprises. Everyone was standing when the final 10 Cabernets were announced. I will never forget that moment. Nor will anyone in that large barrel room. History, once again, was made.

Bravo, Angela for your persistence and hard work. The team you assembled somehow made a complicated event seamless and exciting. Bravo to all of you. ”

“Angela and team – You pulled off an absolutely amazing event that not only recognized and paid tribute to Steven, Patricia and George, but also strengthened their belief that great wines can be made all over the world! Thank you for keeping their memories and vision alive for many years to come. It was a great pleasure to work with you and be a part of this special day.”

“It sounds like your Judgment of Napa came off as a big success. Congratulations! I am so sorry George was not able to be there, but Alzheimer’s is relentless. Having Dan and Tiara there was a much better solution, and they seemed to have had a wonderful time. We will be excited to see the videos! And your next act will be...? ”

“Congratulations! You did incredible….
We were so proud and honored to be associated… Exciting!!!
With passion!”

“Dear Angela…it was OVER THE TOP….don’t know how you pulled it off…BUT you did!...How I wish Steven had been here to see the explosive event…you go girl!!”

“Angela, I congratulate you for a beautiful job of organizing these events to celebrate Steven Spurrier’s 80th Birthday as well as to organize this Judgment of Napa.

It was a beautiful production. Kudos to you, Andrea, your daughter and the whole team involved in this. And I do not want to forget to thank the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars team for a beautiful lunch setting and the Oak Avenue Catering for a very tasty lunch!
Best wishes for much continued success!”

“Dear Angela and Andrea: What an extraordinary event. Impactful. Moving. And very important. You both managed to do what Patricia so urgently asked—that we “move it forward.” Thank you for what was obviously TONS of hard and creative work. And thank you for letting me be a part.”

“The Judgment of Napa was one of those rare events that felt historic. From the legends who were involved in one way or another—Patricia Gallagher, Paul Draper, and so many more—to the fact that Steven Spurrier himself was involved until shortly before his passing, these two days will go down in the history books of America’s most famous wine region, and with good reason. Every aspect of it was organized and executed with precision, respect, an exquisite attention to details, and, for those of us attending and participating, a deep sense of joy. As for the Judgment itself, I left absolutely stunned not just by the wines—a veritable who’s who of the world’s greats—but by the ability of Angela and her team to assemble them all, and by the conversations that took place around them. It was a privilege to be there, and an experience I won’t forget.”

“None of us knew what to expect (we were kept in the dark about the proceedings mostly) but with evocations of the Judgment Of Paris expectations were high. The tasting exceeded all expectations. The wines were uniformly stellar, in pristine condition, and of the highest quality. But no one could have anticipated the added emotional of Patricia, George, and Steven overseeing the proceedings like angels; all of the video and zoom conversations thrust them into the center of the tasting, and it became a poignant remembrance and a fitting celebration of their historic contribution, and of Steven’s illustrious life and career.”

“Congratulations on a truly special and historic event! It was a pleasure and honor to have been on the expert panel with my wonderful colleagues and to have witnessed your incredible dedication and hard work come to fruition. I admire you greatly.”

“When the Paris Tasting took place 45 years ago, no one expected the California wines to win. And once they had, no one anticipated the effect it would have on California wines. And furthermore, no one imagined the effect on the wine world globally. Truly, the worldwide revolution in wine started that day in Paris at what came to be known as the Judgment of Paris.

When I began researching my book on wine tourism, In Search of Bacchus, I chose to highlight Margaret River – and Leeuwin Estate in particular — for Australia. So it was with great joy that I learned of Leeuwin Estate’s Judgment of Napa triumph in the white wine category.

So, thanks to you for shining the light on that day in history!”

“Congratulations Angela on a job well done.
I really enjoyed myself and all the festivities, thank you for including me in the event!
”

“Thank you Angela - it was a fabulous event! You took care of all the little details and made it a memorable experience for all of us. ”

“ I simply wanted to thank you most sincerely for the two extraordinary days of the Judgment of Napa. I am currently writing about them for a few Decanter pieces and in so doing, reliving the many moments of real joy and celebration you managed to create. Your supreme efforts were richly rewarding to us as participants – I hope you also feel the power and energy you created.

On a professional level, it was a privilege to be ‘in the room where it happened’, to taste with my peers and to listen to the tributes made by outstanding women and men. On a personal level, I found it immensely moving. Many, many congratulations and thank you.”

“The Judgment of Napa was truly an experience I’ll never forget. In addition to amazing food, wine, and hospitality, the people we met were incredible. Patricia and Joanne are both inspirations; I loved seeing how much the people of Napa Valley look up to them, Steven Spurrier, and my father. People talked of them as their idols. My father has always loved the people and events that celebrate wine, and after experiencing this event, it’s easy to see why.”

“Hello Danelle and Angela, I just want to express what a wonderful time we had at the Judgment of Napa. Both Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are impressed with both of your dedication and the tremendous amount of planning and hard work that went into making the event so magnificent!

Angela, your enthusiasm along with Andrea’s was so contagious and as the stories unfolded the day became more and more magical. Richard and I just wanted to send you our congratulations for hosting and producing a very special, celebratory, spectacular event!”