Cliff Lede Secures Prestigious Vineyard in Stags Leap District

Cliff Lede Vineyards has recently acquired a 7.5-acre vineyard adjacent to its facility in the Stags Leap District, expanding its estate vineyard holdings to over 160 acres in Napa Valley. The vineyard, previously leased and farmed by the Lede family since 2002 for its owners, the Andelin family, is seen as a key strategic acquisition.

"This was a generational opportunity," said Jason Lede, general manager and COO. The vineyard’s closeness to the winery allows for greater control over production, which is expected to enhance the quality of the wines made at Cliff Lede.

Founded in 2002, the winery has a reputation for its Bordeaux-focused portfolio, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Its various estates include 87 acres in Carneros and 20 in Calistoga, with a total annual production of around 20,000 cases.

The new vineyard lies near the winery’s tasting room and borders its Rhythm Vineyard, which has previously used fruit from the Andelin Vineyard for various bottlings, including the increasingly popular Rhythm Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lede expressed a commitment to modernizing the newly acquired vineyard, considering the current grape market conditions as an opportunity to replant. The goal is to improve quality through clonal selection and row orientation, which should also enhance the Rhythm label and other wines.

The acquisition follows the winery’s recent sale of the Poetry Inn and its properties in Anderson Valley, indicating a strategic focus on Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon. "Our family is doubling down on Cabernet and Napa Valley," Lede emphasized, indicating a positive outlook for the future despite current challenges in the wine industry.

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