Homegrown and humble, Whitehall Lane has existed as a hidden gem in plain sight on Highway 29 in Rutherford since 1979. Katie Leonardini’s father purchased the winery and encompassing vineyards of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in 1993.
Leonardini and her brother Tom Jr. have helmed the winery as vice president of operations and vice president of distribution, respectively, but the winery’s already greeted the third generation. “My brother’s son, Tom III, is cellar master, and my son, William Melancon, works at the winery as needed in between harvest internships—from Napa to Paso Robles to South Africa to New Zealand—as he trains to become a winemaker,” shared Leonardini.
Katie Leonardini, Jason Moulton, Tom Leonardini Jr.
The steadfast family-owned operations have attracted a loyal client base over the years that Leonardini credits to remaining off the mainstream radar. They have enjoyed an enduring following through their Wine Club since the early 1990s; limited-release Malbec and Petit Verdot sell out within days.
Their trusted clients inspire Leonardini to grow and offer more—like their Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine they greet each guest with—but also remain loyal to those who’ve been with them since the early days. This includes offering their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted from fruit grown on their Rutherford estate vineyard and five additional estate vineyards in Napa Valley, for $60 per bottle. And despite the ever-rising prices of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, they haven’t considered keeping up with the Joneses.
“It’s almost unheard of in Rutherford, but that’s just our style,” said Leonardini. “We are value-driven with our wine pricing and over-deliver on quality in all aspects of our winery, from the tasting room to the winemaking process.”
Jason Moulton, Whitehall’s winemaker of the past nine years, agreed: “There are options for all the wine consumer palates out there,” he added. “Whether someone prefers the native barrel-fermented Semillon or Chardonnay against the sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc, there are options for white wine fans, whereas the Cabernet blends, single vineyard Cabernets, and single varietal Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot stress the importance of typicity and balance while using the art of blending to create a wine complete and texturally approachable to any consumer.”
Whitehall Lane’s newly remodeled Club Room
Tasting flights of Whitehall’s portfolio begin at $40 for a current release tasting of red and white wines; their highest priced offering is $90 per person for a tasting of five of their Cabernets that always include a vineyard designate and library offering. “We have the old school, walk-in tasting room that people love for abbreviated tastings,” said Leonardini. The winery also has a newly remodeled Club Room overlooking the Mayacamas mountains and a new Garden Pavilion for al fresco tastings among the estate Merlot vines.
Outside of traditional tastings, Whitehall’s events schedule is ever-rotating as the family infused their hobbies into the winery’s offerings. “That resonates with clients as they get to know how we enjoy wine together with family and friends,” she said, exemplifying live music, themed interactive social events as well as events to support organizations like Napa Valley Vine Trail (a project of which the winery was one of the main sponsors).
“We love welcoming our members as friends to the winery,” said Leonardini, adding they always like to greet new faces, too. “I often meet people who tell me they’ve heard of Whitehall Lane or have tried our wines over the years, but they haven’t experienced a visit to our winery,” she said. So, why wait? Whitehall Lane is open for a visit.
