Smithsonian Commemorates 50th Anniversary of 'Judgment of Paris' and Nation's 250th Birthday

Winemakers' Dinner To Celebrate American Wine, Food and History

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:38pm

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The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the famous 1976 'Judgment of Paris' wine tasting competition and the nation's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the eighth annual Smithsonian Winemakers' Dinner on April 14. The event will bring together vintners, culinary leaders and supporters to celebrate the intertwined histories of American wine, food and democracy.

Why it matters

The 1976 'Judgment of Paris' was a pivotal moment that brought international acclaim to California winemakers and helped spur the rebirth of American winegrowing. Commemorating this milestone alongside the nation's 250th birthday underscores the deep connections between American wine, food and history.

The details

The 'Judgment of Paris' was a blind tasting in 1976 where California wines beat out their French counterparts, upending long-held assumptions. The Smithsonian event will explore the legacy of that tasting, featuring wines from Napa Valley wineries Freemark Abbey, Clos Du Val and Mayacamas that also participated in the original competition. The dinner will be developed in collaboration with chef Nora Pouillon, founder of the first certified organic restaurant in the U.S.

  • The 'Judgment of Paris' wine tasting competition was held on May 24, 1976.
  • The Smithsonian Winemakers' Dinner will take place on April 14, 2026.
  • The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The players

Anthea M. Hartig

Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History.

Nora Pouillon

Founder of Restaurant Nora in Washington, D.C., the first certified organic restaurant in the United States and an early leader in the farm-to-table movement.

Freemark Abbey

A Napa Valley winery that participated in the original 1976 'Judgment of Paris' tasting.

Clos Du Val

A Napa Valley winery that participated in the original 1976 'Judgment of Paris' tasting.

Mayacamas

A Napa Valley winery that participated in the original 1976 'Judgment of Paris' tasting.

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What they’re saying

“The 1976 Judgment of Paris forever changed the way the world viewed American wine. Fifty years later, as we commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary, we are honored to celebrate the winemakers, chefs and communities whose creativity and dedication transformed American wine and food. We are thrilled to share those stories with the public through our collections and programs.”

— Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History

What’s next

Tickets to the Smithsonian Winemakers' Dinner event can be purchased online.

The takeaway

The Smithsonian's commemoration of the 'Judgment of Paris' and the nation's 250th birthday highlights the deep connections between American wine, food and history, underscoring how a pivotal moment in 1976 helped spur the rebirth of the U.S. wine industry and its lasting impact on American culture.