Initially the fruit grown at Kamen Estate was sold to premium Sonoma wineries. In 1996, a devastating fire tore through the property destroying half of the vines along with Robert’s home. Where others would see this as a tremendous setback, Robert’s credo, “Everything happens for a reason”, held sway. The fire forced him to focus not on what had been lost, but on what could be gained. Out of the experience he decided to stop selling grapes and began to make his own wines. A major replanting began as soon as the ground cooled. Cutting edge viticultural techniques were employed, new selections of Cabernet clones were chosen and different rootstocks were used. The first release of Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1999.
Visitors will get a first-hand look at how we make wine at Keever Vineyards. Guests will tour the winery, the cave and a bit of the vineyards while enjoying a fantastic line up of wines.
Susanna Kelham established Kelham Vineyards along with her two sons, Ron Nicholsen and Hamilton Nicholsen in October of 1997. The entire family have been an integral part of the Oakville heritage for well over twenty years. Together they are proud to showcase an impressive array of celebrated library wines, each bottle speaking directly to a passion that has long defined them as stewards of their craft.
The winery is located in the secluded canyons of Calistoga where they have feral cats, winery dogs, hawks, rabbits and wild turkeys. They are delighted to be able to offer tastings of their current release wines and tours of the caves and winemaking facility.
Nestled in the hills above the Napa Valley at 1,550 feet, Kenzo Estate encompasses 3,800 acres, five times the size of New York’s Central Park. Only 150 acres of the unspoiled, wild woodlands have been planted to vines. Protected within this preserve are spring-fed reservoirs, vernal pools, streams and diverse forests of conifer, oak and manzanita. Wild boar, coyote, mountain lion, deer, turkey, and bobcat linger in the wilderness and are occasionally observed by guests and those attending to the estate. The land is truly a welcome escape from the outside world.
