Vineyards
Armstrong Ranch
Purchased in 2017 by Karen and Stu Lerner from Tom and Jane (Armstrong) Byrne, the iconic Armstrong Ranch vineyard represents the cornerstone of Lerner Project. The Armstrong vineyard is situated over 1500 feet above the town of Calistoga on the steeply terraced, and sundrenched hillsides of the Diamond Mountain AVA. Planted with Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 in 1983 by the legendary grower, Dick Steltzner, it is also one of Napa Valley’s oldest mountain vineyards. Stu is proud to point out that the original 37-year-old planting comprises the vineyard to this day. The single-vineyard Armstrong Ranch 2017 represents Lerner Project’s first-ever estate bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon.
“It's like working with a little piece of history.” Russell Bevan
Vineyard Details
Appellation: Diamond Mountain
Soil Types: Volcanic with shards of obsidian and clumps of diatomaceous earth
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 6
Tench Vineyard
If, as some people like to say, Oakville were “the Rodeo Drive of Napa Valley,” then the Tench vineyard would have to be one of its finest boutiques. It’s certainly in the right neighborhood. Located among some of Oakville’s – and the world’s – best sites for Cabernet Sauvignon, the red, volcanic soils produce concentrated grapes and classically dark, juicy Cabernet Sauvignon with fine tannins and an abundance of pure fruit flavors and intensity. The pristine vineyard sits adjacent to a rocky knoll just west of the Silverado Trail, near Oakville Cross Road. This picturesque knoll and surrounding hills of eastern Oakville allow Tench to boast its own unique microclimate and is home to Lerner Project production, where Russell Bevan can keep an eye on everything from grape to glass. Tench is also the source of the first single-vineyard Lerner Project Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley’s stellar 2016 vintage.
Vineyard Details
Appellation: Oakville
Soil Types: Rocky and iron rich golden-red soil
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Sugarloaf Ranch
Located just to the southeast of the city of Napa, the Sugarloaf vineyard is on the receiving end of the breezes and cooling effects of the nearby San Pablo Bay, rising up to 1600 feet in elevation on what Russell Bevan lovingly describes as a “pile of rocks. Literally, it’s a vineyard on top of a quarry.” The steep mountainous terrain, diverse soils and varied exposures all provide an ideal growing opportunity for Merlot and Cabernet Franc with immense depth, energy and complexity. As a viticultural property, Russell and Stu find it quite useful for the spicy-minerally fruit character that predominates in the blending grapes. It tends to add complex notes to the rich, full-bodied Tench and RMS Cabernet bottlings.
Vineyard Details
Appellation: Napa Valley
Soil Types: Basaltic igneous rock
Varietals: Cabernet Franc and Merlot
Houyi Vineyard
The Houyi Vineyard is located on the iconic Pritchard Hill, just east of Oakville, rising above the fog layer on a perfectly situated southern facing slope. These well drained, rocky, volcanic soils produce intensely concentrated grapes with massive, mineral-laced black fruits and distinct varietal character. This pristine vineyard site has garnered a cult-like following among collectors in recent years and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after sources of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit in Napa Valley.
Vineyard Details
Appellation: Napa Valley (Pritchard Hill)
Soil Types: Red volcanic
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Moaveni Vineyard
The Moaveni Vineyard resides among the rolling oak woodlands south of Santa Rosa in the Bennett Valley AVA. Although it’s an inland valley, it is one of the coolest AVA’s in Sonoma County, benefitting from the coastal winds and fog that flow inland through the Petaluma Gap. The cool temperatures, gravelly clay loam soils and hillside slopes provide a perfect environment for Sauvignon Blanc to ripen slowly and evenly, allowing the grapes to develop fresh, crisp acidity, citrus and tropical fruit flavors.
Vineyard Details
Appellation: Bennett Valley, Sonoma County
Soil Types: Gravelly clay loam
Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc