Our Team

Since founding his namesake winery in 2002, Cliff Lede (pronounced lay-dee) has put every emphasis towards creating a modern and diversified world-class estate. A strategic thinker and visionary, Lede is the driving force of a company that at once holds the values of the great Old World winemaking properties, with the energy, youth and spark of the New World.  His wines are intrinsically connected to the land, yet his view point is forward-thinking and entirely fresh. One visit to the Cliff Lede Vineyards property, which is full of contemporary art and is juxtaposed with vineyard blocks named for classic rock songs, and it is clear that to him, wine—like music and art—is a source of great beauty.

Lede grew up involved with his family’s successful construction business in Canada, and first discovered the splendor of the Napa Valley while on a business retreat in the 1990s. An avid long-distance runner, he explored the back roads of Napa Valley throughout his trip. The area resonated a great deal with him, as he had collected Bordeaux wines since his late 20s. Frequent return visits ensued, and he was soon exposed to everything Napa Valley has to offer: beautiful land, some of the world’s greatest restaurants and a core of friendly, passionate and hardworking people that reminded him of his own community.

Lede soon began searching for a property in Napa where he could start a winery. Determined to plant his roots in the Stags Leap District for its complex and age-worthy wines, he remained patient and focused.

Upon learning that a Stags Leap District estate was for sale, Cliff recognized the opportunity and, after months of negotiations, established Cliff Lede Vineyards. One year later, the southwest facing hillside just above the Silverado Trail became available. Following the acquisition of the rare hillside property, Cliff named it the Poetry Vineyard.

As General Manager, Jason Lede oversees all day-to-day operations of the winery. He works closely with his father, founder and visionary Cliff Lede, and the executive team to guide the winery’s long-term vision.

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. Then, as Director of Communications for three years, he led branding and sustainability initiatives for the winery while deepening the company’s relationships with trade, media, consumers, employees, and the community.

Jason is actively involved with several Napa Valley Vintners committees, has completed the Napa Valley Vintners Leadership Program, and has served as Vice President of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association. He lives on the family’s Stags Leap District estate with his wife and son, enjoys mountain biking, and as DJ Jason Lede, performs at BottleRock Napa Valley and other high-profile events.

As Cliff Lede Vineyards’ Director of Winemaking, Chris Tynan lets the grapes speak for themselves. Born in New York and raised in Texas, Christopher Tynan began his wine career working summers as a vineyard technician doing irrigation management for vineyards across Napa and Sonoma counties.

Following a harvest at Cain Vineyard & Winery in 2004, he was given an opportunity to work the 2005 harvest with the legendary winemaking and viticulture team of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer at Blankiet Estate in Yountville.

In 2006, Christopher became the assistant winemaker at the prestigious Colgin Cellars on Pritchard Hill. At Colgin, Christopher worked closely with owner Ann Colgin, Winemaker Allison Tauziet and Vineyard Manager David Abreu for the next five years. It was here where he learned and embodied the standard for excellence in all aspects of winemaking and viticulture. Wines made during Christopher’s tenure at Colgin were awarded seven 100 point scores from wine critic Robert Parker.

In 2012, Christopher was introduced to Cliff Lede by David Abreu and joined the Cliff Lede Vineyards team shortly thereafter. Christopher brings an unmatched passion and attention for detail to the team. His exacting philosophy of only employing low-yield vines from select sites and minimal intervention in the winery ensures that each bottle expresses the distinct nuances of each site, block and vintage.

Christopher has a degree in English and Art History from Texas State University and in his free time enjoys collecting wine and traveling.

As winemaker at Cliff Lede Vineyards, Travis Bullard works alongside director of winemaking
Christopher Tynan to oversee day-to-day winemaking operations and the management of the wine production team. In addition to working in the cellar, Travis represents the winery at key trade and consumer events.

Travis moved to Napa Valley in 2010 to pursue an internship at Cliff Lede Vineyards. From first taste, he fell in love with the Cliff Lede portfolio of wines and knew he wanted to specialize in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Upon completion of his internship, Travis joined the team as a full-time lab technician. In 2012, he was promoted to enologist, and by 2013, he was promoted to associate winemaker—the same year that Cliff Lede Vineyards received its first 100-point score. In 2021, Travis was named winemaker. A native of Santa Cruz, California, Travis completed a BA in Agricultural Business from California Polytechnic Institute, San Luis Obispo, in 2008. While studying there, he was introduced to the dynamic wine culture of Paso Robles and the Central Coast through participation in the on-campus wine club and volunteer opportunities at local wine events, such as Hospice du Rhône. Travis gained valuable and diverse experience through internships in the lab and cellar at wineries such as Korbel and Sonoma Cutrer in Sonoma and Summerwood in Paso Robles where he was fortunate to work under noted winemaker Jeff
Cohn.

Travis lives on a historic vineyard adjacent to Cliff Lede Vineyards in Yountville with his wife and their four children. Outside of winemaking, he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and anything athletic.

As Director of Vineyard Operations, Eric is responsible for overseeing all farming and viticulture of the winery’s estate vineyards across the Stags Leap District, Carneros, and Calistoga AVAs. Eric works closely with the internal winemaking team to develop and implement vineyard farming protocols, while also managing Cliff Lede Vineyards’ external grower relations.

A third-generation farmer in Napa Valley, Eric was introduced to grape growing at a young age. His grandfather emigrated from El Llano, Michoacan, in the 1940s, and later became one of the first post-prohibition winery employees at Beringer. Eric grew up working with his father in vineyard management and became the first in his family to earn a degree in viticulture upon graduating from California State University-Fresno in 2009. To build on his education, he returned home to work harvest before taking on a crucial role at his father’s new vineyard management company. Eric developed vineyards for several wineries alongside viticulturist Nathan Baty who later hired him to work with some of Napa’s most acclaimed winemakers, including Thomas Rivers Brown and Philippe Melka.

In 2017, Eric joined Pahlmeyer winery as Vineyard and Grower Relations Manager where he developed his interest and expertise in site-specific grape growing. With a commitment to farming organically and a philosophy of expressing terroir, Eric was drawn to the ethos of Cliff Lede Vineyards and was named Director of Vineyard Operations in 2024.

When he is not in the vineyard, Eric spends most of his time with his family. He has 31 first cousins in Napa Valley, many of which work in wine and viticulture. He loves trying new restaurants and wines, camping with his wife and kids, and cheering on his favorite teams, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Oakland A’s.