Judgment of Paris wine tasting becomes opera
The Festival Napa Valley has commissioned a new opera celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting that transformed Napa Valley’s standing in the wine world.
The 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, widely regarded as one of the most consequential events in modern wine history, is to be reimagined as an opera.
Festival Napa Valley has announced the commissioning and world premiere of The Judgment of Paris, a new one-act work by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. The production will debut on 18 July 2026 at Charles Krug Winery as part of the festival’s 20th anniversary season.
The commission marks Festival Napa Valley’s first original opera and will be performed with a full orchestra.
Rather than presenting a straightforward retelling of the famous tasting, the work blends mythology with historical events, bringing together Greek gods and the California winemakers who challenged France’s dominance during the now legendary blind tasting organised by Steven Spurrier in Paris.
Gods, winemakers and a blind tasting
According to Festival Napa Valley, the opera centres on a rivalry between Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, and Venus, the goddess of love.
Bacchus defends the supremacy of French wine, while Venus champions curiosity, experimentation and change. Their dispute unfolds against the backdrop of 1970s Paris and Napa Valley as Spurrier, Patricia Gallagher and a group of pioneering Californian winemakers prepare the tasting that would alter global perceptions of fine wine.
When Napa Valley wines emerge victorious, both gods and mortals are forced to reconsider long-held assumptions about excellence, tradition and innovation.
The production will star soprano Danielle De Niese as Venus and baritone Quinn Kelsey as Bacchus. Tenor Nicholas Phan will portray Spurrier, while mezzo-soprano Simone McIntosh takes the role of Gallagher.
Additional roles include figures closely associated with the original tasting, among them Mike Grgich and Warren Winiarski, performed by fellows from Festival Napa Valley’s Manetti Shrem Opera Program.
The production will be directed by Jean-Romain Vesperini and conducted by Kent Nagano.
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Celebrating three anniversaries
The premiere coincides with three significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris tasting, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 20th anniversary of Festival Napa Valley.
Charles Letourneau, vice president and director of artistic planning at Festival Napa Valley, said: “This opera captures the essence of Napa Valley – curiosity, courage and the joy of discovery.”
He added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer on a project that unites artistry, history and the enduring power of innovation.”
Heggie described the project as one of the most enjoyable commissions of his career.
“Wine and opera – a pairing made in heaven,” he said. “This story has such great heart and its high stakes, infused with the antics of Bacchus and Venus, make for a truly fun piece.”
Scheer likewise drew parallels between wine and opera, arguing that both are rooted in memory, emotion and shared experiences.
“Wine lovers speak of exceptional bottles the way opera devotees recall transcendent nights at the theatre,” he said.
Not the first Judgment of Paris opera
The new work should not be confused with the much earlier The Judgment of Paris, a pastoral opera based on Greek mythology and written by English playwright William Congreve.
That libretto formed part of the famous “Musick Prize” competition staged in London between 1700 and 1701, attracting settings from composers including John Weldon, John Eccles, Daniel Purcell and Gottfried Finger. The story centred on the Trojan prince Paris choosing between Juno, Pallas Athena and Venus after being presented with the golden apple of discord.
The subject was later revisited by Thomas Arne in 1742.
Following its world premiere in July 2026, Festival Napa Valley expects additional performances of the opera to be staged elsewhere in the United States and internationally.
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