Keever Vineyards: A Nice Visit and a Great Wine in Yountville

I have heard that the single best way to distinguish a well-crafted wine is that it beckons you back for another sip. Therein lies the “problem” with discovering that caliber of wine – you want to drink it! And darn it, there goes that desire to accomplish productive tasks right out the window!

This past weekend, I enjoyed one of those wines at Keever Vineyards located in Yountville, CA in the Napa Valley. Keever is a family-owned winery that produces cabernet from six acres of vineyards right there at the estate. This is a small production winery that takes pride and care in each step of the process. The winemaker is Celia Welch who is one of my favorite winemakers in Napa Valley. She delivers quality with all that she touches.

This property is visited by appointment only, so call ahead to set your date and time for a tour and tasting. Our visit was hosted by Liz, who was welcoming and quite knowledgeable about the property as well as the wine making process at the vineyard.  She works many jobs at the winery including harvest and sorting. This provides her with a clear picture of the journey of the grapes from vine to bottle.

The tour included a walk through the winery and the cave. Along the way, we tasted four different wines — a Sauvignon Blanc, a Syrah, a red blend, and finished with the flagship cabernet. All wines were well crafted and left me wanting more. This is always my buying signal — and I did just that. I left with the Inspirado red blend and, of course, the Cabernet.

Keever Vineyards is set on the hill overlooking Yountville. It is a gorgeous setting with lovely views of the valley below, and this idyllic setting provides a wonderful sense of peace and calm. I recommend a visit. It is a beautiful setting, with a gracious host and well-crafted wine.

Enjoy!