Helen Keplinger's guest appearances

Helen Keplinger

Wine Spectator Video

The Taste with Doug Shafer – Stories of Winemakers and Wine

The James Suckling Wine Podcast

Laura Catena

Michel Rolland

Paul Hobbs

Giovanni Manetti

Adam Lee

Andy Erickson

Randy Lewis

Maya Dalla Valle

Eric Ripert

Maynard James Keenan

Charlie Trotter

Geoff Tate

Charlie Palmer

Wolfgang Puck

Christian Seely

OwlTail

James speaks with Helen Keplinger, winemaker at Grace Family Vineyards. This Napa Valley winery is known for producing some of Napa Valley's first cult wines, but the new owner is looking to maintain the property and its operations in the same manner as always.In this Zoom session, James and Helen taste the Grace Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford Blank 2018, which Helen says "may be the best vintage of Blank." James adds, "It's so delicious ... and then You have this really nice acidity at the end, it's almost like an Italian wine, with a balsamic character to it. That's crazy."Helen notes that the Grace Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 is 100% cabernet and that they've refined their pickings for the grapes, resulting in only 150 cases produced for the 2018, and 100 cases for 2019. "I think the '18 is gorgeous, but the '18 is all upper block [of the property]," she says. "The upper block contains rocky, red volcanic soils and the vines there face east. Their struggle against the east produces an intense mineral, well-structured, red-fruit character with an aromatic herbal profile."

James speaks with Helen Keplinger, winemaker at Grace Family Vineyards. This Napa Valley winery is known for producing some of Napa Valley's first cult wines, but the new owner is looking to maintain the property and its operations in the same manner as always.In this Zoom session, James and Helen taste the Grace Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford Blank 2018, which Helen says "may be the best vintage of Blank." James adds, "It's so delicious ... and then You have this really nice acidity at the end, it's almost like an Italian wine, with a balsamic character to it. That's crazy."Helen notes that the Grace Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 is 100% cabernet and that they've refined their pickings for the grapes, resulting in only 150 cases produced for the 2018, and 100 cases for 2019. "I think the '18 is gorgeous, but the '18 is all upper block [of the property]," she says. "The upper block contains rocky, red volcanic soils and the vines there face east. Their struggle against the east produces an intense mineral, well-structured, red-fruit character with an aromatic herbal profile."

HELEN KEPLINGER ON GRACE 2018 AND RUTHERFORD BLANK 2018

INTERVIEW AND TASTINGOn February 5, James interviewed Napa winemaker and consulting enologist Helen Keplinger on her project with Cristie Kerr, the professional golfer and vintner. Kerr Cellars makes a range of wines from well-structured sauvignon blancs and chardonnays to balanced and thoughtful pinot noirs and cabernet sauvignons. They use grapes from both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Helen also discussed the excellence and complexity of the 2018 vintage as well as 2019 and a lot more. They tasted through a range of the new releases from Kerr. Listen to the podcast for the full conversation and tasting. Read James' full Napa report here.

INTERVIEW AND TASTING On February 5, James interviewed Napa winemaker and consulting enologist Helen Keplinger on her project with Cristie Kerr, the professional golfer and vintner. Kerr Cellars makes a range of wines from well-structured sauvignon blancs and chardonnays to balanced and thoughtful pinot noirs and cabernet sauvignons. They use grapes from both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Helen also discussed the excellence and complexity of the 2018 vintage as well as 2019 and a lot more. They tasted through a range of the new releases from Kerr. Listen to the podcast for the full conversation and tasting. Read James' <a href="https://www.jamessuckling.com/wine-tasting-reports/new-napa-valley-wines-highlight-harmony-refinement-2018-vintage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full Napa report here.</a>

HELEN KEPLINGER ON KERR CELLARS

Helen Keplinger grew up envisioning a future in medical science, however, wine offered greater adventure – taking her to work with winemakers in Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Australia, Spain, and South Africa. Today she has her own wine brand while making wine with golfer Cristie Kerr and for iconic winery Grace Family. Enjoy! For more visit: keplingerwines.com

Helen Keplinger grew up envisioning a future in medical science, however, wine offered greater adventure – taking her to work with winemakers in Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Australia, Spain, and South Africa. Today she has her own wine brand while making wine with golfer Cristie Kerr and for iconic winery Grace Family. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://keplingerwines.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">keplingerwines.com</a>

Helen Keplinger sources grapes from Sonoma to Sierra for the Rhône blends she and her husband DJ Warner make under the Keplinger label. Join Helen as she describes what each variety contributes to the blend.