Having lived on Harney Lane for over 100 years, we are honored to welcome you into our backyard! Our guests are considered extended family, so please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello when you see us in the Tasting Room.
We are thankful for all of the new friends we continue to make through this endeavor as well as those who have encouraged us along the way. We relish the opportunity to share our wines and the experience of making them with you. ~ Kyle, Jorja & Kathy
Kathy Mettler: Our Matriarch Kathy is blessed with the gift of hospitality. She can often be found in the Tasting Room pouring wine and sharing her family’s story, as well as a few laughs. She loves meeting new guests and is overjoyed to witness the transformation of her small family farm into a destination winery, where people come to relax and enjoy some truly delicious wine. When Kathy isn’t visiting behind the bar she is likely to be found cheering on her grandchildren, Kirsten and Ian.
Jorja Lerner: Despite Jorja’s involvement in all things Harney Lane, she did not set out to join the family business. Growing up, Jorja was a keen observer who saw that farming was both a fulfilling endeavor, which took enormous dedication, and also one that could present great challenges and uncertainty. She set out to carve her own path as a physical therapist, which she practiced for 15 years before returning to her roots on Harney Lane. As an only child, Jorja takes great pride in continuing the legacy of her family and the Lodi region. She works alongside her mother and husband to run the Tasting Room and all of the winery’s inside operations.
Kyle Lerner: Kyle is thrilled to call the vineyards his office. Starting out as a young business student who married into a farming family, Kyle stepped in to help out on the ranch at a pivotal time. He quickly fell in love with being outdoors, taking a hands-on approach to the business and marketing side of the ranch. Eventually he joined the game full-time and has never looked back. Mentored by our Patriarch George Mettler, Kyle now has over 25 years of farming and vineyard management under his belt. He possesses a wealth of knowledge about sustainable farming practices and utilizes generations of expertise to continually hone his craft. Kyle loves the challenges that farming and the wine business bring. He is most in his element when he is able to share our Estate Vineyards with our guests.
The Kids: Kirsten Elizabeth and Ian James were very young when their parents and grandparents began making wine. They have grown along with the winery, watching their childhood farm transform into a successful family business serving up award-winning wine. Kirsten and Ian also have their own claim to fame: they are the namesakes for our flagship “Lizzy James” Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard. Although these 6th generation family members are now off to college, they can still be found helping at the Harney Lane office, assisting with events and making occasional appearances in our Tasting Room.
George Mettler: Although we lost our beloved Patriarch in February of 2013, George left us a legacy of progressive farming and uncompromising standards that still impacts every decision we make. It was George’s great grandfather who first purchased the Harney Lane property in 1900. His grandfather planted the first vineyards here and they were tended lovingly by his family until George took over farming the family property, soon after marrying Kathy, the love of his life. George loved God, he loved his family and he loved great wine. Anyone that knew him also knows that he loved to fly fish, especially with great friends! We are certain that George would also love how his family continues to bring his legacy to life in the vineyards and the Tasting Room at Harney Lane.
Read more about our Patriarch and Patriarch’s Promise here
We are grateful to lodiwine.com for their touching piece on George, found here
