The Judgment Of Paris: 50 Years Later – A Historic Re-Enactment

We are pleased to announce that Karen MacNeil, one of the world’s most influential wine authorities and the author of The Wine Bible, will serve as moderator for the Judgment of Paris: 50 Years Later – A Historic Re-Enactment, taking place April 11, 2026, at Nashville’s historic Union Station Hotel.

On May 24, 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier hosted a blind tasting in Paris that would go down in history. In a stunning upset, American wines—then largely dismissed by the European establishment—triumphantly bested France’s finest. That single event, forever known as the Judgment of Paris, redefined the global wine landscape.

Now, exactly 50 years later, you have the rare opportunity to relive and participate in this iconic tasting… Not as a spectator, but as a judge.

On April 11, 2026, 42 fortunate guests will gather at Nashville’s historic Union Station Hotel for a once-in-a-lifetime re-enactment of the Judgment of Paris. The wines will mirror those poured at the original competition—updated with current vintages from the very same producers, including legends like Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Château Haut-Brion, Ridge Monte Bello, Chateau Montelena, Ramonet, and Domaine Leflaive.

You won’t just taste. You’ll score. You’ll debate. You’ll sit alongside esteemed sommeliers and wine professionals to replicate the original blind judging that shook the world—and see what history has to say this time around.

The day will begin with a blind tasting through the white wines and then the red wines. Scores will be tallied, results revealed, and bragging rights (or humility) awarded. We will then proceed to a Champagne reception to celebrate the day.

From there we will enjoy a multi-course dinner crafted by Guest Chef David Breeden, whose expansive career includes leadership as Chef de Cuisine at The French Laundry, one of the world’s most acclaimed fine dining institutions. Chef Breeden will partner with the Union Station Hotel culinary team to present a dinner worthy of such a historic night—refined, innovative, and impeccably paired.

The event will be covered by the press and promises to be both celebratory and cerebral—a toast to what wine was, is, and can be. Whether you are a seasoned collector, a passionate explorer, or a steward of wine history, this is your seat at the table.

History, poured by the glass. Only 42 seats will be sold.  Remaining seats are limited.

Each seat purchased for this lot includes:

• One seat at the Judgment of Paris 50th Anniversary Re-Enactment
• Blind tasting of 19 legendary wines—modern vintages from the same producers featured in the original 1976 competition
• Participation as a judge in the official scoring, alongside wine professionals and sommeliers
• Access to a private, historic event at Union Station Hotel in downtown Nashville on April 11, 2026
• Champagne reception and multi-course dinner paired with wine

Wines to be featured
Chardonnay
Batard-Montrachet Ramonet-Prudhon 2023
Beaune Clos des Mouches Joseph Drouhin 2023
Chalone Vineyard 2024
Chateau Montelena 2023
David Bruce Winery 2023
Freemark Abbey Winery 2022
Meursault Charmes Roulot 2023
Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles Domaine Leflaive 2022
Spring Mountain Vineyard Heintz Vineyard 2024

Red Wines
Château Haut-Brion 2020
Château Léoville Las Cases 2021
Château Montrose 2020
Château Mouton-Rothschild 2020
Clos du Val Winery 2022
Freemark Abbey Winery 2019
Heitz Wine Cellars Martha’s Vineyard 2019
Mayacamas Vineyards 2021
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2021
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2023