Why Visit Cliff Lede Vineyards?
Cliff Lede Vineyards
Founded in 2002 by its namesake, Cliff Lede Vineyards is a winery that exudes a welcoming, laid back charm on a gorgeous sixty acre estate in the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley. Formerly a sparkling wine house, Cliff Lede purchased the vineyards, visitor center, and caves in 2002. With an emphasis on producing wines from estate vineyards, Cliff has truly made the winery his own by producing noteworthy wines and allowing his love for rock and roll to shine through.
Not only are the vineyards named after various rock songs (think Elton John’s Your Song and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon), there is also a backstage room which can be booked for private tastings. This room is killer! The Backstage Lounge regularly features rotating art exhibits. Upon our visit, the walls were lined with guitars signed by famous musicians and some seriously rad pieces of art and photography as well. The vibe at Cliff Lede is definitely cool.
I recommend reserving a seated tasting for the outdoor patio if possible and request Art for your host! He is absolutely hilarious and his anecdotes helped make our tasting a good time. My favorite Art-ism –
What is the best temperature to store your wine at? 98.6 degrees because wine does you no good until it’s in you!
Art has been with Cliff Lede for 5 years, so he definitely knows his stuff. The outdoor patio is beautiful and there’s a great photo op by the Cliff Lede signature rock and roll hearts statue. You can also easily walk out into the vineyards too!
In addition to the Cliff Lede Vineyards property, Cliff purchased a small winery in the Anderson Valley in 2002. He renamed it FEL in honor of his mother, Florence Elsie Lede. A couple of years later, the Lede family gained another vineyard in the Anderson Valley with a quality reputation for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. During a seated tasting at Cliff Lede, you get to taste wines from both the FEL and Cliff Lede labels. Thus, tasting wines with diverse backgrounds – Anderson Valley vs. Stag’s Leap District. The Cliff Lede portfolio now also includes the Poetry Inn, just in case you’re looking for accommodations near Yountville!
Reservations and Tasting Experiences
The tasting room at Cliff Lede is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Walk-ins are welcome for $35 flights at the bar for up to 6 guests. Groups of 6 or more require a reservation.
Cliff Lede offers multiple options for seated tastings, all of which require reservations. A seated tasting experience on the Veranda will run you $50 per person available 10:00am – 2:30pm daily. You may also reserve a seated tasting in the Backstage Lounge at $75 per person also available 10:00am – 2:30pm. Rather than booking a tasting appointment, you may also buy wines by the glass and kick back in the FEL Pinot Garden. For other elevated tasting experiences at alternative unique venues throughout the property, contact the Cliff Lede Group Sales Manager.
Tasting Notes
2015 FEL Chardonnay, Anderson Valley
2017 FEL Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley
2014 FEL Pinot Noir, Donnelly Creek Vineyard
2015 Cliff Lede Claret, Napa Valley
2014 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga
2014 Cliff Lede Scarlet Love Rock Block Series, Stag’s Leap District
