KHK Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2023

The 2023 vintage of KHK Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced primarily from a Yountville vineyard farmed by grower Giancarlo Bettinelli,

Aged 20 months in 80% new French oak (Darnajou and Taransaud cooperages)

Upon opening, the wine is boisterous and exuberant, eager to breathe. After a few deep breaths, it reveals its depth and complexity. Perfectly balanced between the roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes of the oak and the ripe, black mountain fruit, a delicate earthiness weaves gracefully between the two. Hints of dark purple, iris, and lilac flowers appear at the rim of the glass.

Texturally, the wine is a master class in balance. The tannins are extremely fine-grained and supple, yet firmly present. Across the palate, the texture evokes the sensation of slipping into a luxury bathrobe: soft, pillowy, and satiny.

KHK Wines was born from enduring friendships and a shared belief in the power of food and wine to bring people together. Founded in 2021 by fourth-generation Napa natives Jim and Lindsay Keller, the winery combines deep local roots with the experience of some of America’s most respected figures in wine, cuisine and hospitality.

Jim’s friendship with brothers Tommy and Billy Hall began in childhood, long before the Hall family became celebrated for its acclaimed Halls Chophouse restaurants and distinctive Southern hospitality. Jim later found a kindred spirit in legendary chef Thomas Keller—no relation—whose restaurants include The French Laundry in Yountville and Per Se in New York. The name KHK represents the families at the heart of this story: Keller, Hall, Keller.

The team’s vision was straightforward: to create world-class Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that remains approachable, accessible and at home on the dining table. KHK began with a restaurant-first philosophy, crafting wines with the balance and versatility needed to complement food. Its first limited vintages were poured at leading restaurants, including The French Laundry, Bouchon, Ad Hoc and Halls Chophouse, before small quantities were made available to a wider audience.

The wines are made by Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa Valley’s most accomplished winemakers. His approach emphasizes detailed vineyard selection, minimal intervention and the purest possible expression of each site. KHK’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced principally from Block 5A of Miller Vineyard on the Yountville valley floor. The vineyard is known for its deep loam soils and cooling morning fog encourage slow, even ripening, giving the wine its structural foundation and generous mid-palate.

KHK recently acquired of the historic Trubody Ranch. Encompassing more than 100 acres of prime valley-floor land, the property includes an 1872 farmhouse, barn and water tower, representing a passing of the torch between generations of Napa families. Most importantly, the acquisition secures an exceptional long-term Cabernet Sauvignon source for KHK’s flagship wine. Trubody Ranch provides a serious foundation for growth while supporting KHK’s goal of maintaining outstanding quality at an accessible price.

KHK’s future also extends to Pritchard Hill, where a high-elevation vineyard was laid out under the direction of winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, planted in 2024, and developed and farmed by Bettinelli Management. The nearby Howard Backen Estate serves as KHK’s home for private tastings, culinary events and special partner experiences.

In the cellar, KHK follows a classic Napa Valley approach, including approximately 20 months of maturation in French oak. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve their natural complexity and character. Rather than pursuing power alone, KHK emphasizes balance, freshness, generosity and refined texture. The result is Cabernet Sauvignon that can be enjoyed upon release yet possesses the structure to develop beautifully in the cellar.

KHK is ultimately more than a wine project. It is an expression of family heritage, lifelong friendship and genuine hospitality—elevated Napa Valley wines made for the table, and for the moments that become lasting memories.