Rock in 2024 with Cliff Lede Vineyards
Napa Valley Stags Leap District, Visit the Famous Rock ‘n Roll-Themed Vineyards and Tasting Room
Cliff Lede Vineyards is famous for their Rock ‘n Roll-themed vineyards and tasting room. The winery hosted a media event to showcase the newly redesigned Backstage Tasting Lounge which has been “remastered” with a touch of rockstar edge. In October I attended the event to tour the new tasting lounge and had the privilege of tasting the 2019 famous Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon (100 Points, Wine Advocate) among their fascinating portfolio of red blends and a special white blend (Bordeaux-style white). Jason Lede, 2nd generation vintner and Director of Communications, was our host for the event, and lent some personal comments about the Cliff Lede customer culture. Join me for a look at the Backstage Lounge and a glimpse of The Poetry Inn, the Five Star ultra-luxurious Cliff Lede-owned inn up the hills looking down on the Stags leap vineyards of Cliff Lede. Finally, check out my recommendations from the portfolio tasting.
About Cliff Lede Vineyards
First established by Cliff Lede in 2002 with the purchase of 60 acres in the Stags Leap District, Cliff Lede Vineyards has become a leading family-owned producer of Bordeaux variety wines with now more than 160 acres of estate vineyards across Stags Leap District, Calistoga and Carneros. The 25,000 square foot Howard Backen-designed winery and network of caves provide an ideal home for Cliff Lede’s wine production. Over the last two decades, the winery’s flagship estate bottling, Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, has been awarded multiple 100-point scores across critical publications. Cliff Lede portfolio also includes FEL Wines that specialize in cooler climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from the Anderson Valley.
Jason Lede: Why Customers Continue to Buy Their Wine
Question: Why do you think your customers continue to buy your wine?
“We encourage our guests to have an experience where they can truly connect with the wine, the music, and the story. They see the consistent quality and nuances of each vintage over the years. People like the fact that we are family-owned, and we are grateful that they recommend us to their friends.” – Jason Lede, Director of Communications, 2nd Generation Vintner.
Backstage Tasting Lounge
September 2024 Napa Valley-based Cliff Lede Vineyards has unveiled new interior design at the winery’s tasting room and Backstage Tasting Lounge, located in the Stags Leap District. Brian Anderson of Sebastopol-based BAADesign.
“I aimed to ‘remaster’ the space with a touch of rockstar edge,” - notes Brian Anderson, BAADesign, who cites the winery's 'Rock Blocks'—vineyard blocks named after founder Cliff Lede's favorite songs— as his major source of inspiration.
A standout feature of the refresh was Anderson’s use of thoughtfully sourced wallcoverings in lieu of paint. Inside the winery’s luxe Backstage Tasting Lounge, where a rotating selection of fine art and the winery’s collection of signed guitars are showcased, Anderson chose to depart from the standard gallery white and opted for a handcrafted and bold cork wallcovering, “Blackened Bark” by Philip Jeffries, creating a striking high-contrast backdrop that allows the artwork from musicians such as Grace Slick, Jerry Garcia, and Bernie Taupin, among others, to “pop” off the walls. Don’t miss the bathroom remodels! I loved the playful wallpaper in the women’s restroom which depicts a Cornish valley garden with bursting flowers, wild grasses, daisies, and poppies.
The Poetry Inn
“Indeed, Poetry Inn’s bespoke exclusivity is rather like the private jet experience of accommodations in Napa Valley.” – Forbes Magazine
Cliff Lede owns one Napa’s most exclusive luxurious 5-star hotel. Located at the top of a steep, gated drive the Poetry Inn is the ultimate sanctuary for those seeking privacy and personal service. The five-suite inn offers executive chef-catered private dining, spa and wellness treatment, and personalized concierge services with a curated itinerary of activities. Suite prices range from $1450/night to $2150/night. Whole house booking is available.
“…and the wine is bottled poetry.” Robert Lewis Stevenson, “The Silverado Squatters”, 1883
Cliff Lede Vineyards: Wine Recommendations
2022 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $27-34
This affordable Sauvignon blanc also features 22% Semillon in the blend adding weight and depth to the wine.
2022 Cliff Lede “Marla” Blanc, (White Bordeaux-blend style), Napa Valley $135
An old-vine Sémillon vineyard in Calistoga contributed density and richness to this fabulous blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Musqué vines from the Stags Leap District. I was overwhelmed with this wine’s aromas and flavor….a must buy for me.
2019 Cliff Lede, High Fidelity, Red Blend, $100
94 Points. Wine Advocate
This was my personal red-blend favorite. Very “Right-Bank” Bordeaux style comprised of 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petite Verdot. This silky, and violet-fragrant blend was perfect with our steaks.
2009 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, $430
94 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The famous flagship, collectable wine from Cliff Lede…an allocated wine. Many library vintages of Poetry have scored 100 points (2019, 2012 as examples). This collectable wine exhibits layers of dark red fruit, violets, cloves, blueberries, and a hit of chocolate and cardamom. With a long and silky finish this wine is comprised of a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec….a very complex and elegant wine.
A great New Year’s Eve pair of wines at my place: Perrier Jouet Blason Rosé Champagne and Cliff Lede High Fidelity red blend…enjoying the new year favorite photography friends.
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Hi Thomas, But.....it could happen there too. Must find a rocker vintner! Thanks for your comment. Tricia
Sounds very different to anything we have here in Australia