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At Kelter Wines, our mission is to craft dedicated wines that embody the essence of passion, precision, and the artistry of winemaking. We strive to create distinctive and memorable wines that celebrate the unique character of our passion.

Kelter Wines produces Cavalière Claire and Elevated Surface wines in memory of Claire Daniels and her love for horses.

The vineyards —

Our wines aim to highlight the terroir and the full expression of pure varietal character. Simply, we are harnessing California Sunshine.

Ricci Vineyard

Dale Ricci farms 220 acres of vineyards in the Carneros region of Sonoma County. The Ricci vineyard overlooks San Pablo Bay. Cold mornings and cool daytime temperatures complement loam and alluvial clay soils to create the perfect terroir for our Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Saint Laurent to thrive. Ricci Vineyard is Sonoma Certified Sustainable and Fish Friendly.

Saint Laurent

It is a specialty at Kelter Wines, and we are so grateful to have access to this small and only lot in California at the Ricci Vineyards. Saint Laurent is a classic Old World grape, originating at one time in Burgundy, France, and is closely related to Pinot Noir. It is primarily grown in Austria and Germany and now in California. Known for its excellent aging potential, it produces wines with aromas of Morello cherries and prunes together with soft, rich, round, fruity notes—alongside subtle spices like black pepper and clove. With an alcohol content typically around or below 12% by volume, these wines offer a balanced, elegant profile. You will discover an abundance of California sunshine and flavor in our Saint Laurent.

Our story

Kelter Wines produces Cavalière Claire and Elevated Surface wines in memory of Claire Daniels and her love for horses.

Kelter Wines donates $1.00/bottle from the sale to the ‘Delta Gamma Claire Daniels Memorial, Sisters helping Sisters Scholarship” every year.

We are proud to be part of helping students reach elevated levels during their academic lives.

Our wines

Elevated Surface and Cavalière Claire are small production brands of Kelter Wines, founded in 2017 by Stefan Daniels. With over 40 years of experience in the California wine industry, Stefan has a wealth of knowledge in vine growing and winemaking. From the very start of his career, he believed that "Great winemaking starts in the vineyard." For this reason, Stefan sources the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Saint Laurent grapes from the Ricci Vineyard, situated south of Sonoma in the Los Carneros region overlooking San Pablo Bay. Working closely with the owner, Dale Ricci, Stefan can ensure that the highest quality grapes are grown for his winemaking.

The Northern California Coast -

Tomales Bay

Tomales Bay —

One of our favorite places on the coast is Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay is located in Marin County, Northern California, and is known for its scenic beauty, oyster farms, and outdoor recreational activities. It stretches along the western side of the Point Reyes Peninsula and is a popular destination for nature lovers and food enthusiasts.

The distance from Healdsburg to Tomales Bay is approximately 65-75 miles, depending on the specific route taken. The driving time can vary, but it generally takes around 1.5 hour by car.

Tomales Bay is renowned for its oyster farms, where visitors can enjoy freshly harvested oysters with a picturesque view of the bay. Some well-known oyster farms in the area include Hog Island Oyster Company and Tomales Bay Oyster Company. These farms offer tours, tastings, and the opportunity to purchase and enjoy oysters on-site.

Wine: where every sip is a toast to life's rich palette.