A Howell Mountain estate that was a prized source vineyard for top producers before Herb Lamb began making wine under his own name. The volcanic hillside fruit is intensely concentrated.
Herb Lamb Vineyards is a Howell Mountain estate that spent years as one of Napa Valley's most prized source vineyards before the owning family launched their own label to finally put their name on bottles from fruit that had been winning acclaim under other producers' labels. The vineyard, located on 9 acres of volcanic hillside above the fog line, was a coveted source for Ann Colgin (early Colgin Cellars vintages were made from Herb Lamb fruit) and other prestigious producers who recognized the site's extraordinary quality. Founded as its own label in 2001, Herb Lamb Vineyards now keeps the best fruit for itself.
The 9-acre vineyard sits on the volcanic soils of Howell Mountain, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon at an elevation that provides intense sunlight and the natural stress conditions that produce small, concentrated berries. The site's previous acclaim as a source vineyard for Colgin and others established its pedigree long before the family began bottling their own wine. The mountain terroir produces Cabernet of characteristic Howell Mountain intensity: dark, tannic, mineral, and built for decades of aging.
Winemaker Todd Anderson produces a Cabernet that captures the volcanic intensity that made the vineyard famous when other producers were using the fruit. The wine is powerful and structured, with the firm tannins and mineral depth that define Howell Mountain's finest wines. The winemaking is restrained, trusting the exceptional fruit quality to carry the wine without heavy intervention.
Tastings are by appointment on the mountaintop estate, where the volcanic soils and mountain setting create the context for understanding the wine's intensity. The $100 fee reflects the vineyard's elite pedigree and the quality of the Cabernet.
Herb Lamb demonstrates the arc that many of Napa Valley's finest vineyards follow: years of supplying fruit to famous producers, building a reputation by proxy, and finally keeping the best for themselves. The vineyard that once made Colgin's name now makes its own, and the wines prove that the terroir, not the label, was always the source of the quality.
Contact the winery for full details about this experience, including availability and any special requirements.
