Welcoming the Next Generation of Family Leadership in Napa Valley
(May 30, 2024; Yountville, Calif.)–Stags Leap District-based Cliff Lede Vineyards announced today that second-generation vintner Jason Lede has been named General Manager. Jason, who worked his first job at the winery in 2005, joined his family’s winery in Napa full time in 2015 after completing his MBA and working internationally in the wine industry. He most recently served as Cliff Lede Vineyards’ Director of Communications, following years as Hospitality Manager and Sales Manager. Jason will now oversee all day-to-day operations of the winery and will continue to work closely with his father, founder and visionary Cliff Lede, and the executive team.
“With the full confidence of our leadership team and me, we are certain that Jason is ready to guide the winery’s long-term vision with unmatched dedication and passion,” notes Cliff. “Jason has earned this position after more than a decade of experience at Cliff Lede Vineyards and nearly 20 years in the wine industry.”
Drawn to the wine business as a teenager, Jason spent summers away from his home in Canada working in his family’s vineyards in Napa. Aspiring to join the winery, he developed a ten-year plan with his father that resulted in a business degree from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from the University of Alberta, and an Advanced Wine Certificate from the International Sommelier Guild. To complement his studies, Jason worked harvest in Australia and spent three years at an independent wine retailer, importer, and distributor in Canada. Jason rejoined Cliff Lede Vineyards in 2015 and spent his first four years overseeing wholesale sales across several states before managing hospitality operations for two years. As Director of Communications, he deepened the company’s relationships with trade, media, consumers, employees, and the community, and led branding and sustainability initiatives for the winery. His recent accomplishments include the successful launch of the winery’s new “Rhythm” Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon and production of the Cliff Lede “Cabernet Remastered” video, which won the brand marketing award at the Wine Industry Network Sales Symposium.
Jason’s leadership capabilities transcend the winery. He recently served as Vice-President of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association, is active with various Napa Valley Vintners committees, and is a graduate of the Napa Valley Vintners Leadership Program. His commitment to the community extends to philanthropic events where, as a DJ, he has raised funds for several local charities.
“I am stepping into this role with great pride and enthusiasm,” says Jason. “I am grateful for the opportunity to carry forward our company’s vision and play a larger role in ensuring its future success for generations to come.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a string of major investments in prime vineyard land over the last decade. Adding to the family’s home base of 60 acres of vineyards in the Stags Leap District, in 2013, the Lede family purchased a 20-acre vineyard in Calistoga at the base of Diamond Mountain, and in 2019 doubled their holdings with the purchase of an 87-acre vineyard in Carneros. Today, Cliff Lede Vineyards is poised for greater success through estate driven wines and the next generation of leadership.
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 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. Winemaking is led by Director of Winemaking Christopher Tynan and Winemaker Travis Bullard. The Cliff Lede Vineyards’ tasting room offers a complete Napa Valley lifestyle experience where the best in wine, music, art, architecture and nature intersect. A variety of indoor and outdoor tasting experiences and private tours, including tasting in the newly remodeled Backstage Tasting Lounge, are available with advance reservation, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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