The NPA Tasting Room Opens

Kevin Kelley, winemaker for Lioco and his own, Salinia, and masterminded NPA (which kicked off the wine within 100-miles fresh direct deliviery in a can craze.) Swell wines. Swell guy. The '09 Sauvignon blanc is brill, even though he said he made it because he never had a California SB he fell in love with. We talked about what is a natural wine, the struggle, the definition, but I'm sitting on that one for another post. Most people think that he's dogmatic about no sulfur, but if the wine needs it, an the volatility goes nuts, or oxidation seems out of control he'll dose, starting at 10 parts per million and then he'll wait. Unlike Gideon he uses liquid S02, 6%, because it's easy to control. He never uses powder because he doesn't want the potassium. To add a touch of spice he recently opened his after-hours tasting room in his not too cozy industrial part in Santa Rosa. NPA going to be the only tasting room in an industrial park? Stop by for some Salinia or NPA--bring in your cans for a refill or buy new ones. Whatever. Friday & Saturday all day and on Thursday PM, stop by for a quick tipple. Best bar in town. The affable Hardy Wallace gave us (my friend Marcy Mallette, who was putting me up and putting up with me) a tour of the shoe box sized operation. This is a horribly sloppy iphone video. Take your dramamine. 3350 Coffey Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 527-7063 For more video