Herb Lamb Vineyards
Summary
Herb Lamb Vineyards is a small family-owned estate operating 7-8 acres of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain, where northeastern-facing hillsides with rocky volcanic soils create ideal growing conditions between 600-800 feet elevation. The estate transitioned from supplying premium fruit to Colgin Cellars and other top producers to creating their own limited-production wines, maintaining their cult status through site-specific winemaking and an unwavering focus on expressing their distinctive hillside terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Herb Lamb Vineyards was established in the 1980s when Herbert and Jennifer Lamb purchased a hillside property on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. The couple planted their vineyard in 1988, focusing primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon. In the early years, the Lambs supplied their high-quality grapes to premium Napa Valley producers, with Colgin Cellars notably creating a single-vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon from their fruit.
The Lambs launched their own label, HL Vineyards, in the late 1990s, marking their transition from grape growers to wine producers. Following Herb Lamb's passing in 2014, Jennifer Lamb continued to guide the estate, maintaining the vineyard's reputation for quality. Throughout its history, the winemaking at Herb Lamb Vineyards has benefited from the expertise of respected winemakers, including Michael Trujillo, who helped shape the distinctive character of the estate's wines.
Vineyards & Wines
The Herb Lamb vineyard occupies approximately 7-8 acres on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain. While situated on the mountain itself, the property falls just outside the official Howell Mountain AVA boundary. The vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 800 feet above sea level, featuring well-draining, rocky volcanic soils typical of the eastern Napa hillsides.
The vineyard's northeastern exposure provides an advantageous microclimate, offering morning sun while protecting the vines from the intense afternoon heat. This particular orientation, combined with the elevation and soil composition, creates ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, which dominates the planting.
The estate produces two distinct wine labels. Their flagship offering is the HL Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, which showcases the distinctive character of their hillside fruit. They also produce a second label called "Two Old Dogs," which includes Cabernet Sauvignon and potentially Merlot. A small amount of Sauvignon Blanc may also be produced under the "Two Old Dogs" label.
Philosophy & Practice
Herb Lamb Vineyards employs sustainable farming practices throughout their hillside property, with careful attention paid to the unique demands of their terroir. The estate's approach to viticulture respects the natural advantages of their site while managing the challenges presented by hillside farming.
The winemaking process begins with hand-harvesting and sorting of the grapes to ensure only the highest quality fruit makes it into the wines. For their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate ages the wine in French oak barrels, with a significant percentage of new oak contributing to the wine's structure and complexity.
The vineyard's fruit has earned recognition beyond their own labels, having been selected by other esteemed producers for single-vineyard designated wines. This external validation speaks to the distinctive quality of the site and the Lambs' dedication to excellence in their vineyard management.