Keller Estate Sonoma Coast

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1 GOLD SERIES vol. 24 no. 09 w WINE PRESS Medal Winning Wines from California s Best Family-Owned Wineries. Keller Estate Sonoma Coast GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB America s Leading Independent Wine Club Since 1992

2009 CASA DE LA CRUZ PINOT NOIR Sonoma Coast Just 975 Cases Produced Keller Estate s Casa de la Cruz wines are produced from the family s well recognized La Cruz Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap region

As part of the family s exploration of La Cruz Vineyard, each year a sampling from the entire property is harvested together, and these resulting wines are a true reflection of the vineyard s terrior.

expressive palate. The finish is long and savory. Try pairing the Keller Estate 2009 Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir with barbecued chicken, veal, or mushroom risotto. Aged 10 months in French oak.

2 2009 CASA DE LA CRUZ PINOT NOIR Sonoma Coast Just 975 Cases Produced Keller Estate s Casa de la Cruz wines are produced from the family s well recognized La Cruz Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Casa translates to House in Spanish, making these wines the house wines of La Cruz Vineyard - wines of great quality and exceptional value. As part of the family s exploration of La Cruz Vineyard, each year a sampling from the entire property is harvested together, and these resulting wines are a true reflection of the vineyard s terrior. Keller Estate s 2009 Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir opens with flavors of bright raspberry, cherry, and Santa Rosa plum, while layers of earth, spice, and roasted herbs give the wine depth on the expressive palate. The finish is long and savory. Try pairing the Keller Estate 2009 Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir with barbecued chicken, veal, or mushroom risotto. Aged 10 months in French oak. Enjoy now until GOLD MEDAL SPECIAL SELECTION 2012 LA CRUZ VINEYARD PINOT GRIS Sonoma Coast Just 338 Cases Produced Keller Estate s 2012 La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Gris was produced from the Keller family s awardwinning vineyard on the lower slopes of their Petaluma ranch in the Sonoma Coast. Here, Pinot Gris naturally draws in an intense amount of minerality from the sea bed soils and makes for a very rich, complex and intense Alsatian-style wine. Alsatian-style Pinot Gris are typically fuller bodied wines with more flavor, power, and ripeness than the Italian-style (Pinot Grigio) which is usually much lighter-bodied in style. The Keller Estate 2012 La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Gris offers delightfully fresh aromas of peach, apricot and lemon zest, while rich flavors of stone fruit and floral essences combine on the palate. The minerality is present from start to finish and makes for a wonderfully vibrant, lively wine. Aged 7 months in stainless steel tanks. Enjoy now until GOLD MEDAL SPECIAL SELECTION 2

KELLER ESTATE An artisan producer with one of the most scenic properties in California, Keller Estate crafts terrior-driven wines from the family s award-winning vineyards in Sonoma Coast.

that served as a dairy grazing farm. Taken by the natural beauty of the place, the Kellers bought the 650 acres with the intention of turning it into vineyard land.

Keller felt strongly about his prospects and after several years, planted Chardonnay on his new property.

For the next seven years, the scenario repeated itself, thereby establishing the vineyard as a top quality producer.

The winery has slowly increased its production to around 8,000 cases and is expected to continue this growth in the foreseeable future.

3 KELLER ESTATE An artisan producer with one of the most scenic properties in California, Keller Estate crafts terrior-driven wines from the family s award-winning vineyards in Sonoma Coast. More than thirty years ago, Arturo Keller and his wife Deborah made their way through a scenic section of lower Sonoma County below the town of Petaluma and came upon a most picturesque piece of land that served as a dairy grazing farm. Taken by the natural beauty of the place, the Kellers bought the 650 acres with the intention of turning it into vineyard land. The couple sought the help of wine experts and was told the outlook for high quality varietals was dim and alternate planting places were suggested. Keller felt strongly about his prospects and after several years, planted Chardonnay on his new property. His first usable crop was in 1993 and none other than Napa Valley s Rombauer Vineyards bought the entire production. For the next seven years, the scenario repeated itself, thereby establishing the vineyard as a top quality producer. The outset of the new century found Keller Estate interested in producing its own wines from its vineyards and Keller Estate was founded with an initial release of around 1,500 cases in The winery has slowly increased its production to around 8,000 cases and is expected to continue this growth in the foreseeable future. Keller Estate s La Cruz Vineyard was planted in 1989 and features an intricate stone cross sculpture that boldly stands over the vines. The vineyard was named to honor the family s Mexican heritage. Keller Estate s beautiful state-of-the-art winery shows off the family s passion for art and architecture. From the limestone quarried from the beds of the Yangtze River, to the stained glass doors, art exhibits, and sculpture gardens, Keller Estate is truly a feast for the senses. We crush between 280 and 300 tons of fruit per year, informed Ana Keller, daughter of the founders and manager of the entire operation. We still sell off some of our fruit and we can easily expand our case production to meet the demand. I have a three-year-plan that calls for us to be around the 12,000-case level by that time. The winery s label is a wonderful acknowledgment to the Keller Family s multicultural background. The name Keller literally means cellar in German, and was a special place where valuable commodities were kept and passed on from family to family. Arturo Keller s grandfather was Swiss and the family s coat of arms represents the cellar guard, and the prized key that kept the family s possessions safe. A key is embedded within the colors of the Swiss flag that graces the coat of arms, the most compelling feature of the Keller Estate label. Another Keller, daughter and artist Grace Keller, had a major hand in developing the final label for the estate. Continued on Page 4 3

Keller Estate, Continued The winery itself was designed by renowned Mexican architects Ricardo and Victor Legorreta, and was completed in 2003.

Carved animals rest peacefully in an exhilarating view of the Petaluma River from a knoll on the property.

Included are original lithographs of Marc Chagall, a collection of the work of Philippe Pastor, sculptures of famous persons and an assortment of impeccable Located in the Petaluma Gap region of

Its 650-acre ranch offers one of the most architecturally beautiful wineries set in a bucolic surrounding of vineyards, rolling hills and expansive views of Petaluma.

4 Keller Estate, Continued The winery itself was designed by renowned Mexican architects Ricardo and Victor Legorreta, and was completed in The grounds are spacious and involve limestone quarried from the beds of the Yangtze River in China. Carved animals rest peacefully in an exhilarating view of the Petaluma River from a knoll on the property. In the tasting room and around the grounds of the estate, visitors can enjoy an array of paintings and works of art. Included are original lithographs of Marc Chagall, a collection of the work of Philippe Pastor, sculptures of famous persons and an assortment of impeccable Located in the Petaluma Gap region of Sonoma Coast, Keller Estate is one of Sonoma s hidden treasures. Its 650-acre ranch offers one of the most architecturally beautiful wineries set in a bucolic surrounding of vineyards, rolling hills and expansive views of Petaluma. Keller Estate wines are aged in French oak barrels within the winery s extensive underground caves. stained glass doors attesting to Arturo Keller s fascination and devotion to automobiles. A car from Keller s private collection is usually available to guests who tour Keller Estate. Arguably one of Northern California s most scenic estates, Keller Estate s wines have increased in popularity since its inception. It is a pleasure for Gold Medal Wine Club to feature these fine wines for your enjoyment. ANA KELLER & Alex holman, WinemakerS Alex Holman, Associate Winemaker While Ana Keller is considered the estate s winemaker, she proudly points to her assistant, Alex Holman, for his efforts in making Keller Estate what it is today. Holman is a San Francisco native with a degree in chemistry from California State University Fresno. His views on winemaking are quite similar to Ana Keller s, and involve a minimalistic approach to the craft that highlights the incredible terroir variances within the estate itself. With both winemakers possessing nearly identical degrees in the field of chemistry, the wines of Keller Estate are carefully thought out and conceived. Holman s resume is filled with excellent references, from Paul Hobbs Winery to Sonoma s esteemed Dry Creek Vineyard. He also toiled for J. Rickards Winery in Geyserville and assisted at Arcana Winery before joining Keller Estate some two years ago. 4

Food pairings from Keller Estate Veal Marengo Pair with the Keller Estate 2009 Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir Veal meat 3 small white onions 3 carrots 3/4-1 cup green beans 3 round tomatoes 3 garlic

Cut the veal meat in small pieces and set them aside as well. In a large cocotte pot, add the olive oil and butter and heat to high heat.

5 Food pairings from Keller Estate Veal Marengo Pair with the Keller Estate 2009 Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir Veal meat 3 small white onions 3 carrots 3/4-1 cup green beans 3 round tomatoes 3 garlic heads Bay leaves/thyme 1 cup white wine 1 cup water 1/2 stick of butter 3 Tbs. olive oil 2 cups flour Salt and pepper Clean the vegetables and cut them in small quarters. Put them aside. Cut the veal meat in small pieces and set them aside as well. In a large cocotte pot, add the olive oil and butter and heat to high heat. Once the pot is hot, saute the veal meat and add the salt and pepper to taste. Make sure the meat is nicely browned. Add the flour to the pot and stir until well distributed on the meat. Then add the chopped vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme and mix well. Add the wine and water to the mixture and put a lid on the pot. Let the stew cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes on low heat. Once it s cooked, enjoy the stew with rice, bread or potatoes. Recipe provided by Keller Estate. Pan Fried Trout with Arugula Salad Pair with the Keller Estate 2012 La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Gris 5 oz. Arugula 1 cup fresh hazelnuts 1 lemon 3 cups green peas 1 Tbs. butter 1 cup crème fraiche Trout fillets Salt and pepper 4 cups balsamic vinegar 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 cup sugar Squeeze the lemon juice and zest into a hot pan, simmer. Add 1 Tbs. of butter. Stir for 5 min. or until soft. Reserve on the side. Cook 1 1/2 cups of the peas in boiling salted water until soft. Cool in an ice bath. Puree in a blender until smooth; add 2 Tbs. of crème fraiche and the put on the side for later use. Season the trout fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Place a little oil and butter in a pan. Place the trout in the pan and sear until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Reduce to a simmer. Flip the fish over and place into the oven for 3-5 min. or until desired doneness. In another pan, reduce the balsamic and add all of the fresh berries. Add the sugar and leave on the fire until the consistency looks caramelized. Reserve on the side. In a bowl, place the pea puree in the center and add the trout on top. Pour the lemon-butter sauce on top. To the side of the trout, add the Arugula salad and then pour the vinaigrette and hazelnuts on top. Recipe provided by Keller Estate. Find this recipe and all of your favorites online at GoldMedalWineClub.com/recipes. We have a delicious collection of entrée recipes to pair with your favorite Gold Medal wines! 5

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: ANA KELLER When Ana Keller learned that her father Arturo intended to enter the wine business in 1989, she literally jumped in with both feet.

in London. The city of London proved to be a pivotal spot for Ana when she took her first formal wine tasting lessons while attending school there.

Her most rewarding experience? It is definitely sitting in a restaurant and the table next to me orders a bottle of our wine without knowing who I am, she related.

6 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: ANA KELLER When Ana Keller learned that her father Arturo intended to enter the wine business in 1989, she literally jumped in with both feet. Brought up in Mexico, Ana was the recipient of degrees from both the University of Mexico (biopharmaceutical chemistry) and a Masters in Pharmaceutical Development from the prestigious King s College in London. The city of London proved to be a pivotal spot for Ana when she took her first formal wine tasting lessons while attending school there. Now a youngish 42, Ana Keller is all about the winery experience. Having spent nearly 25 years in the wine industry, she speaks a wine veteran s lingo with great enthusiasm and vigor. Her most rewarding experience? It is definitely sitting in a restaurant and the table next to me orders a bottle of our wine without knowing who I am, she related. It is instant gratification when they take the first sip and express their enjoyment. I wouldn t trade the experience for anything. Ana s first brush with wine came early in life when she spent her holidays in France s Loire Valley harvesting grapes from the vineyards. When my father asked me to join him in establishing Keller Estate, I was overjoyed, she related. We have accomplished much of what we initially set out to do and it s up to me to continue to make sure our quality never fluctuates. Ana has insisted on a unique way of insuring that quality tradition continues. We always bring out 6 or 7 of our prior vintages to taste right before we sit down for the final blending of our wines. This process really confirms the fact that the new wines really relate to the terroir of our estate. We are dedicated to the utmost quality we can achieve with each vintage, and that is the promise of our winery. Ana Keller is also heavily involved in the effort to make her property part of a proposed new AVA (American Viticultural Area) that would be called the Petaluma Gap AVA. When you consider what the winds of the gap do to the area and to the grapes themselves, it seems to be a nobrainer. The winds force our grapes (Pinot Noir) to develop thicker skins and that in itself changes the equation. The Petaluma Gap has become a world-class growing area, and I m hopeful it will be soon recognized. When we first started, this was all Sonoma County AVA. Then the Sonoma Coast AVA became a reality, and now it s time for even further recognition. I hope our efforts will reach fruition sometime either late this year or next, she added. Ana Keller devotes 100 percent of her time to Keller Estate and confided that her parents are still active in the business. Whenever my father is available, he sits in on our meetings and tastings. He is still quite active and his passion for cars takes up a great deal of his time. He cares a great deal about the winery since it is still a relatively small family operation. While the Keller Estate is comfortably positioned around the 8,000 case annual production level, Ana Keller has developed a three-year plan that will increase Keller Estate s production another 30 to 40 percent to around the 12,000 case level. We grow enough great quality grapes to support the plan, she finalized. With the excellent support we have from our loyal customer base, all we need do is continue with our quality. Our assistant winemaker Alex Holman is responsible for that aspect of our business and he is really good at what he does. Ana Keller is unique to the wine industry in that her first passion was for plants. This passion turned to vines and then to wines. She has utilized modern technology to its fullest, but still remains true to a minimalistic approach to winemaking, not an easy task in today s winemaking world. We salute Ana Keller and her wonderful wines as we introduce them to you as our Gold Series feature. We know you will enjoy these excellent wines from this emerging wine producing area. Ana Keller with her parents, Arturo and Deborah Keller. 6

WINE REGION: Sonoma Coast Sonoma Coast Thirty years ago, the areas within Sonoma County that hold the estate

In fact, owner Arturo Keller was advised to plant elsewhere to achieve the best results.

Two specific areas compromise Keller Estate s vineyards.

The soils are multi-layered, mineralladened clays that were once sea beds of San Pablo Bay.

A second smaller (20-acre) block (El Coro) was planted high above a ridge top where vines are exposed to Pacific

Soil is thin, loamy clay with volcanic subsoil and is perfectly suited to the Pinot Noir grape and its rigorous

ADD A PLUS! BOTTLE to your next wine delivery The Plus!

7 WINE REGION: Sonoma Coast Sonoma Coast Thirty years ago, the areas within Sonoma County that hold the estate vineyards of Keller Estate were thought to be unfit for growing quality vines. In fact, owner Arturo Keller was advised to plant elsewhere to achieve the best results. Keller followed his instincts and today s Keller Estate vineyards are among the finest in all of Sonoma. Two specific areas compromise Keller Estate s vineyards. The first block (La Cruz Vineyard) resides on the lower hills section of the Keller property. The soils are multi-layered, mineralladened clays that were once sea beds of San Pablo Bay. The mineral character that permeates the grapes is part of the unique terroir of the estate. A second smaller (20-acre) block (El Coro) was planted high above a ridge top where vines are exposed to Pacific maritime winds and fog, and is known as the Petaluma Gap. Soil is thin, loamy clay with volcanic subsoil and is perfectly suited to the Pinot Noir grape and its rigorous needs. These vineyard properties, and the Keller Estate winery, are located within the Sonoma Coast AVA. ADD A PLUS! BOTTLE to your next wine delivery The Plus! Program automatically adds on one special wine to each regularly scheduled wine delivery, or as often as you like! Plus! wines are all highly rated, very small production wines with availability too limited for all regular club members to receive. JOIN TODAY! $18-$22/DELIVERY This Month s Gold Series featured Plus! wine: Keller Estate 2008 La Cruz Vineyard Syrah 89 POINTS - wine Enthusiast Just 139 Cases Produced! 7

Wine wizard: test your WINE iq! 1. What does a red Bordeaux-style blend consist of? A Bordeaux-style blend is a wine based on the major grapes grown in the Bordeaux region of France.

Some of these wines may be given the name Meritage if they are made and recognized by the Meritage Alliance. 2. What does a red Rhône-style blend consist of?

A popular Rhone blend known as a GSM, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. 3. Which varietals are most commonly associated with the Burgundy region of France?

8 Wine wizard: test your WINE iq! 1. What does a red Bordeaux-style blend consist of? A Bordeaux-style blend is a wine based on the major grapes grown in the Bordeaux region of France. These varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. A blend can include all five of the major red varietals, or just a few. Some of these wines may be given the name Meritage if they are made and recognized by the Meritage Alliance. 2. What does a red Rhône-style blend consist of? A Rhône-style blend is a wine based on the four major Rhone grape varietals - Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsault. A popular Rhone blend known as a GSM, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. 3. Which varietals are most commonly associated with the Burgundy region of France? The most famous wines produced in Burgundy are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Small amounts of rose and sparkling wines are also produced in this region. The Gold Medal Wine Store KELLER ESTATE 2009 Pinot Noir 2012 Pinot Gris Plus! Feature: Keller Estate 2008 Syrah Retail Price at the Winery $25.00/btl. $30.00/btl. $36.00/btl. Members Only Special Pricing Save 10%-27% online! Save 20%-34% online! Save 28%-39% online! Order Online: Toll Free: Membership Rewards! Save money in the wine store when you buy 6 or more bottles. Combine any wine*, any series! These special discounts are available only to club members, gift recipients and gift givers. Remember to Login to see your prices online! *2 bottle min, per wine, per order. Shipping and tax (if applicable) not included in above prices. Membership Rewards does not apply to Sale or Specials Wines.

KENWOOD. October 2015

KENWOOD. October 2015 KENWOOD PR MESSAGING October 2015 R E C L A I M I N G S O N O M A One of California s premium wine pioneers, Kenwood Vineyards is in the heart of Sonoma County. We craft wines with unique varietal character