For more than one hundred years, the George Mettler family has farmed Harney Lane, a 100-acre parcel of land just east of Lodi, California. But it wasn’t until 2006 that they decided to venture into winemaking.
Everyone rolled up their sleeves. Jorja Lerner, a member of the family’s fifth generation, left her career as a physical therapist. Her husband Kyle—who jokes that farming is legalized gambling with more variables—took on added responsibilities to manage the winery; while Jorja’s mother, Kathleen, applied her strong hospitality skills to organizing the tasting room. Even Jorja and Kyle’s two children, who represent Harney Lane’s sixth generation, played a part. The family now has complete control of their wines from the vineyard, to the bottle, to the consumer. All the grapes are hand picked, hand sorted, then fermented in small lots and barrel aged.
This attention to detail and determination to make the best product possible at the Harney Lane Winery has certainly paid off. In five short years, Harney Lane Winery has developed a portfolio of unique, memorable estate varietals including Old Vine Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Primitivo, Petite Sirah, and Albariño—along with classic Chardonnay. Judging from the rapid growth of its wine club, Wine:30, and the fact that nearly all (95 percent or more) of its inventory is sold in the tasting room, Harney Lane has quickly developed an enthusiastic and loyal following. The wines consistently stand out at major wine competitions. At the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition alone, the 2011 Albariño took Best of Class and the 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel garnered a Double Gold.
The gracious tasting room offers tastes of the winery’s compelling portfolio, as well as an expansive gift shop stocked with creative wine-related gifts. Harney Lane prides itself in not only producing wonderful wines, but in creating a tasting experience where guests feel warm, welcome, and an extended part of the family.
WHAT TO BUY
’12 Albariño – $19
Citrus, pineapple, fragrant jasmine, with a touch of honey
’10 Tempranillo – $25
Cassis, plum, licorice
’11 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lizzy James – $35
Black cherry, vanilla, spice
SPECIAL NOTES
Lodi Rules Certified Sustainable Farming Practices, wine club discounts, private tours by appointment, owner on site, picnic grounds, and a gift shop.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
