Discover Herb Lamb Vineyards
Herb Lamb 7 acres vineyards are located at the foothills of Howell Mountain, one of the best terroirs in Napa
In 1987, Jennifer and Herb Lamb purchased, cleared and planted their 7 acres hillside vineyard in Napa Valley in the foothills of Howell Mountain. They sold their first grapes to the cult “Colgin” label, first created by Helen Turley, for 15 years, establishing a reputation for the excellence of their vineyards and farming practices. As a Napa Valley native, Herb’s Soil Science degree allowed him to manage an Agricultural Chemical Business and work closely with all the best vineyards in the valley.
This is one of the best terrors in Napa. When the fog rolls off the ocean and into the Napa Valley, the weather on Howell Mountain is generally sunny and cool. The appellation owes its distinctive climate to fact that it is positioned well above the valley floor. Although it gets nearly twice as much rainfall as the valley below, the soil tends to be dry, because rocky, porous soil conditions allow for adequate drainage and less accumulation.
Seasonally, cooler spring temperatures cause buds to break later than average, and warm summer nights produce fruit that demonstrates a great balance between acidity and sugar. All of which, translates into a rich diversity of complexity and flavor in the glass.
Soil can hav as much an effect on the variety and intensity of grapes as the weather. This is evident on Howell Mountain, where there are two main soil types. The first consists of decomposed volcanic ash, called “tufa”, and the second is red clay that is high in iron. Because both soil types are nutrient poor, they stress the vines, producing intense wines from small clusters and berries. In the end, the altitude and thin, rocky, dry soil conditions creates wines with firm structure, incredible varietal intensity and excellent agin properties.
It seems like only yesterday that they arrived at their seven-acres in the foothills of Howell Mountain in St. Helena with big dreams. The rocky hillside, ranging from 600 to 800 feet in elevation, was cleared and wide terraces were graded in preparation for planting. Their dreams have become a reality — they’ve just recently celebrated 25 years of grape growing in the Napa Valley.
The first fruits of their labor arrived in 1990 with a modest crop that was sold to neighboring winemakers. With an average yield of less than two tons per acre, they recognized that this was no “get rich quick” scheme. By 1991, Michael Trujillo of Karl Lawrence Cellars had discovered the unique quality of their fruit for inclusion in his new wine venture. The following year, Ann Colgin selected their vineyard as the sole source for her signature wine, and continued to purchase Herb Lamb fruit for the next 15 years.
With much encouragement, they took the leap from grape grower to wine brand in 1997 when they produced their first 50 cases of Herb Lamb Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon to rave reviews. They chose winemaker Micheal Trujillo to help craft their wines and have been blessed with his expertise ever since.
Sustainable with minimum intervention, their vineyard is farmed with respect for the land and animals who inhabit it. They now produce more than 300 cases of HL Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon annually from the same fews rows of their north-east facing hillside estate vineyard, and pride themselves on offering distinctive wines year after year.
HL Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as our “companion” label wines — Two Old Dogs Sauvignon Blanc, Two Old Dogs Cabernet Sauvignon and Two Old Dogs Rosé — are available in very limited quantities.
Two Old Dogs
ROSÉ
Color : Pink
Size : 750mL
Appellation : Napa Valley
Varietals : 65% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 3% Syrah
Alcohol : 12.5%
Winemaker Notes : The Two Old Dogs Rosé has a lovely light pink/salmon hue and shows hints of rose petals with wild strawberries, peach and watermelon in the nose. The wine is low in alcohol, completely dry but bright and delicate in the mouth with a crisp and refreshing finish.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Color : White
Size : 750mL
Appellation : Yountville, Napa Valley
Varietals : 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol : 14.1%
Winemaker Notes : Two Old Dogs Sauvignon Blanc has a floral nose with pink grapefruit, tropical fruit, tart citrus, lemon grass and tangerine peel. These flavors carry into the mouth with great acidity, showing hints of melon, Meyer lemon, sweet lime and stone fruit.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Color : Red
Elevage : 65% new French oak
Size : 750mL
Appellation : Napa Valley
Varietals : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol : 14.4%
Winemaker Notes : The aromatics are amazing with a deep black cherry, ripe plum, spice and mineral character. The very forward nose shows bright black cherry and cola, with a hint of sweet spices and herbs and a touch of vanilla from the 65% new French Oak. In the mouth, the depth in the nose is confirmed with more black raspberry, sweet, blue fruit, minerals and dense black cherries and ripe plums.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Color : Red
Elevage : 65% new French oak
Size : 750mL
Appellation : Napa Valley
Varietals : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol : 14.4%
Winemaker Notes : The aromatics are amazing with a deep black cherry, ripe plum, spice and mineral character. The very forward nose shows bright black cherry and cola, with a hint of sweet spices and herbs and a touch of vanilla from the 65% new French Oak. In the mouth, the depth in the nose is confirmed with more black raspberry, sweet, blue fruit, minerals and dense black cherries and ripe plums.
Two Old Dogs is the companion label to the HL. Named in honor of founder Herb Lamb and his two black labs, these wines need little further aging and are meant to be enjoyed in their youth with friends and family. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are produced under this label.
