Keep, California
Website: http://www.thekeepwines.com/
Johanna Jensen and Jack Roberts after the 2020 harvest
The People
Winemakers Jack Roberts (Matthiasson Wines Assistant Winemaker) and Johanna Jensen (formerly with Scholium Project and Broc Cellars) have come together to create wines influenced by the old world with less ripe fruit, minimal manipulation and great ageability. In the vigneron tradition, they do much of the work themselves from vineyard to bottling.
The crest on the bottle is of Beverstone Castle, an 11th century Norman stronghold in Gloucestershire, England where Jack’s father was born and raised. All that remains of Beverstone today is what you see on our label — the moat and the tall ‘keep’, (from the middle english kype, or barrel) which was the defenders' last resort in a siege. It was also where they stored their most precious possessions, especially their wine.
The crest on the bottle is of Beverstone Castle, an 11th century Norman stronghold in Gloucestershire, England where Jack’s father was born and raised. All that remains of Beverstone today is what you see on our label — the moat and the tall ‘keep’, (from the middle english kype, or barrel) which was the defenders' last resort in a siege. It was also where they stored their most precious possessions, especially their wine.
White Wine
Albarino;
12.75%
Albarino;
12.75%
Lost Slough Vineyards is the first Vineyard Jack and Johanna have ever worked with in 2009. Located in the Sacramento River Delta, this Vineyard was once below sea level lending it a delicious briny minerality. Native Fermentation, Unfined/Unfiltered and aged in neutral oak for 18 months and then bottled age for another 18 months before release. A perfect blend of subtle richness combined with citrus flower and honey notes. 140 cases produced.
Red Wine , Organic
Cabernet Sauvignon;
13%
Cabernet Sauvignon;
13%
This is Jack and Johanna's first ever Cabernet Sauvignon. They have worked with the variety in many ways throughout their 12 year career in Napa but strangely had never actually made the wine for Keep. When some fruit from the Bengier Vineyard (formerly Vare Vineyard) became available, they jumped at the chance. Contrary to most Napa Cabernet sites this Vineyard typically ripens at lower sugar levels with delicious fruit concentration. This wine is a nod to the classic Cabernet that we have had the opportunity to taste from the 1970’s and 80's from Napa. 80 cases produced.
Red Wine , Organic
Merlot; Chardonnay; Pineau dAunis;
12.75%
Merlot; Chardonnay; Pineau dAunis;
12.75%
From the organically farmed Sonoma Broadway Farms. For the 2021 vintage we were really please to be able to add a small amount of Pineau D'aunis from some newly grafted vines. We decided to go Carbonic again as we really loved how it turned out in 2020. Strawberry and black currant on the palate. Perfect blend of tannin structure and vibrant fruit with the
minerality of the Chardonnay and slight white pepper quality from the Pineau D'aunis coming through on the finish. Native yeast fermentation, unfined/ unfiltered. Neutral oak for six months. 190 cases produced
Red Wine , Organic
Counoise;
12%
Counoise;
12%
From the David Girard Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills, certified organically farmed. Made
in the traditional carbonic method, 14 days of enzymatic fermentation and then a light
foot tread to finish fermentation. This wine has no added S02 and was aged in neutral oak
for 6 months before bottling. This is a delicate fruit forward wine, to be served chilled or
cellar temperature. Native yeast fermentation, unfined/ unfiltered.
White Wine
Grüner Veltliner; Pinot Gris; Chardonnay;
12%
Grüner Veltliner; Pinot Gris; Chardonnay;
12%
From the Lost Slough Vineyard, right next to the Sacramento River Delta, hence the name. The cooler air and loamy soil from the Delta give this wine a rare minerality not seen in
most California white grapes. Stainless Steel fermented, sur lie aged for 6 months before bottling. Honeysuckle flower on the nose with a stunning stone fruit finish, river rocks on the palate. Native yeast fermentation, unfined/ unfiltered.
Red Wine , Organic
Merlot;
13.5%
Merlot;
13.5%
From the Organically farmed Sonoma Broadway Farms. This is Keep's first vintage of Merlot from this fantastic site. Pressed midway through fermenting to lock in the crunchy lean Merlot flavors and then aged for 18 months in barrel to soften the tannins and enliven the fruit. Juicy and medium in body, with terrific balance. Bramble flowers, fresh plum and red currant with a soft tannin finish. Total crowd pleaser and an amazing wine. 400 cases produced
Red Wine , Organic
Syrah;
13.25%
Syrah;
13.25%
Our sixth vintage of making wine from the Kahn Vineyard. This hillside vineyard located at the southernmost tip of the Mayacamas range which divides Napa and Sonoma Valley contains a combination of volcanic and valley floor soils giving it tremendous complexity. The cool nights and warm days give this wine perfect balance between ripeness and acid, we farm this vineyard ourselves certified organic. In 2017 we decided to try doing 100% whole cluster and doing gentle pump overs instead of the usual punch downs. Picked at 24 Brix, aged 18 months in neutral oak barrels and then bottle aged for another 18 months. Meaty minerality, bright tannins, full fruit mid palate, long finish.
Red Wine , Organic
Syrah;
13.75%
Syrah;
13.75%
This is Jack and Johanna's eighth vintage making wine from the Kahn Vineyard. They like to experiment and change things with every vintage. With the 2018 they decided to do no added So2 to half of the wine. The result is fantastic! The tannins and acid make this a perfect no added So2 wine as the structure can carry it, making a clean complex and palatable wine. Meaty minerality, bright tannins, full fruit mid palate, long finish. 100 cases produced