“Through both his life’s work and his extensive philanthropy, Robert L. Lieff ‘61 has shown an uncanny capacity to spur impact on a game-changing level.”
Columbia Law School Magazine
SONOMA
In 1977 Robert Lieff found an old storefront office at 539 Broadway in Sonoma. His arrival appeared in the Sonoma Index Tribune, “Ex Belli Partner Opens Office in Sonoma”. Robert would ultimately buy the building and the building next door and create a facade conservation easement. Robert’s conservation easement set the tone for the entire downtown Sonoma. Others followed suit placing conservation easements on most of the town square, permanently securing the architecture, authenticity, and character of this historic town.
That same year, Robert Lieff gave 4,000 trees to the city of Sonoma. These were planted in the town square, in a cemetery, on a big traffic island, and in a park.
RUTHERFORD LAND EASEMENT
In 1997, Robert Lieff bought a 22-acre property in Rutherford where he built a house and planted a vineyard. This is the existing vineyard of LIEFF Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
In 2013, he placed a conservation easement on the 22-acre property. This prevented, in perpetuity, any additional buildings, vineyards, or winery. This conservation easement reduced the value of the property, but more importantly protected it in perpetuity.
LAND TRUST OF NAPA VALLEY
Robert Lieff served on the Board of Directors of the Land Trust of Napa Valley from 2006 to 2013. The Land Trust has permanently protected over 91,000 acres of land throughout Napa County. That’s over 17% of Napa—protected in perpetuity.
Robert Lieff’s roots in the Napa Valley go deeper than most. Robert Lieff moved to the Napa Valley in 1980. He first came to Napa in 1960’s, working as a migrant farm worker. In 1966, Robert successfully represented siblings Douglas and Cara Stelling in gaining control of their 4,000 acres purchased by their late father Martin Stelling, beginning in the 1940’s. The family trustees had a Master Plan to build hundreds of homes and resort facilities along Highway 29 to the top of the ridge, from Yountville to St. Helena through the heart of the Napa Valley. Had this Master Plan been approved, it would have changed the Napa Valley into a suburban sprawl, rather than the home to American grape growing it’s become today. Robert Lieff was 30 years old and in his first year of law practice. The case, and its conclusion, is a cornerstone in the history of the Napa Valley.
ALAMO CREEK EASEMENT
In 2003 Robert Lieff purchased the historic 2,000+ acre Alamo Creek Ranch on the border of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Working with the Wildlife Conservation Board he placed the back parcels—1,860 acres—into a conservation easement in perpetuity. This land has oak woodlands, is a critical habitat for two herds of elk, and is a remote nesting site for condors. The front piece—250 acres—has the 40-acre Alamo Creek Vineyard. In 2009, working with the County of San Luis Obispo, Robert Lieff created a second conservation easement protecting these front 250 acres. The old vine vineyard remains operational. Robert and his wife Susan produce their Lieff Ranch wines with grapes from this certified sustainable vineyard.