John Shafer was a successful businessman in the Chicago suburbs when in 1972, he purchased a piece of property in what would soon come to be known as the Stags Leap District in southern Napa Valley. Affected by daily fog, this area was originally thought to be too cool to grow Cabernet Sauvignon, but Shafter tasted an example from a neighbour and decided to go in on this variety; this would be just one example of his brilliant decision making over the years.