Kevin Kelley

It was the long and convoluted history of wine that captured Kevin’s interest shortly after high school. His love of practical history led him to read “Like Modern Edens” by Charles Sullivan. Kevin quickly learned that the neighborhood he grew up in had a heritage in wine dating back to the 18th century. While the vineyards had long been replaced by Silicon Valley, each character’s story that Sullivan brought to life was firmly planted in Kevin’s heart. After devouring additional volumes of wine history, Kevin knew he had to be a part of this noble yet somehow humble tradition.

Kevin gained his formal education at UC Davis and graduated with a newly established degree which combined both Viticulture and Enology. After learning the science of wine, Kevin picked up his family and moved to Burgundy to learn the philosophy of wine. Living in Nuits Saint-Georges and working nearby in Vosne-Romanée gave him an intimate perspective on the lives and wines of the Cote de Nuits.

It was in Burgundy where many life lessons were learned and a wine making foundation created. Both Jean-Nicolas Meo of Domaine Meo-Camuzet and Christian Gouges of Domaine Henri Gouges were an inspiration and their influence can today be found in Kevin’s winemaking style.

Returning to California, Kevin joined Copain Custom Crush and was quickly promoted to Facility Winemaker. His time there exposed him to the techniques and ideologies of 15+ winemakers, and gave him intimate access to the very finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay being grown in California.

Today, Kevin diligently crafts wines for LIOCO and his own boutique label called Salinia, in his state-of-the-art winery in Santa Rosa, CA. He lives in Windsor with his wife Jennifer and son Kian.