SEPPI Sparkling Wine: Kelsey Phelps Honors a Legacy with a Fresh Take
Is it possible to find a versatile sparkling wine that can successfully meet any moment, big or small? That can pair with any meal or stand on its own?
We found the answer is a big YES, California-style.
SEPPI Sparkling Wine
One vintner has artfully crafted a duo of sparkling wines that marries a vibrant, modern feel with classic Champagne-style finesse. She’s created high-quality wines that celebrate the beauty and brightness of California’s wine country, while honoring tradition and methods classic to the Champagne region of France.
Her name is Kelsey Phelps, and her wine is a welcome addition to the party.
The Family
If you are at all familiar with the history of Napa Valley or California’s wine industry, the name Phelps might ring a bell. That’s because of Joseph Phelps, Kelsey’s grandfather—an icon in the wine industry.
After a successful career as a construction engineer building and growing his father’s business, Hensel Phelps Construction Company, Joe decided to follow his passion and try his hand as a winemaker. He founded Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1973, and by tirelessly pursuing education in innovative winemaking methods, made his mark on the wine world. He surrounded himself with California winemaking greats like Robert Mondavi and Joe Heitz, always pursuing his craft with humility, a sense of community and a desire to improve.
Joseph was a man of firsts in California wines. At a time when California winemakers were entranced with cabernet and chardonnay grapes, Joe introduced the first commercial release of a U.S. syrah, as well as the first stateside blend of traditional Bordeaux grapes released under the proprietary name Insignia. Mr. Phelps’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirit is recognized for helping shape California’s wine country into the world-renowned presence it is today.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards lives on today, still owned and operated by the Phelps family.
Kelsey Phelps & SEPPI
When Joseph Phelps became a grandfather, he chose the nickname “Guiseppe” (Italian for Joseph—he’d been particularly fascinated with Italy at the time) instead of “grandpa.” The kids had trouble pronouncing the full name, and thus the affectionate title “Seppi” was born.
Kelsey has fond memories of her grandfather, both in his vineyards and at the dinner table. She grew up loving the nature surrounding her family’s vineyards, as well as the sense of community Joe’s wine brought to family gatherings. Joe’s innovation and tireless work ethic had a massive impact on shaping Kelsey into the vintner she is today. As she grew up, she went from helping fetch bottles in the wine cellar for family dinners to working on the vineyard and in the tasting room, growing her knowledge every step of the way.
Kelsey with her grandfather, “Seppi” Courtesy of Kelsey Phelps
Like her grandfather, Kelsey’s own career began in a different field. She paved her path practicing law in Silicon Valley. But, like her grandfather, the art of winemaking tugged at her soul. She eventually left her success in the corporate world to answer the call, but in the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandfather, decided to build her own company from the ground up. Seppi Craft Sparkling Wines would be her own mark on the industry, with a nod of gratitude to her grandfather’s legacy.
The Wine
When you reach for a bottle of Seppi, you instantly feel Kelsey’s fresh innovation and modern approach. The label is classic, but also fun, lighthearted and exciting. Its shining presence on the table, before even popping it open, reminds you that life is to be celebrated.
For us, it was that 9:30 a.m. moment, poolside on a Wednesday staycation at the Lafayette Hotel. What could have been a regular, humdrum middle-of-the-week day was an opportunity we took to create a special memory, and Seppi’s 2017 brut rosé and 2017 blanc de blancs were there to help us celebrate. We insist on paving our own way in life and enjoying every minute of it, and Kelsey’s wines, in that same adventurous spirit, are right there with us.
Both the brut rosé and the blanc de blancs are made in the traditional Champagne method, with hand-selected grapes grown in Northern California. Seppi’s lead winemaker Keith Hock is a seasoned Napa Valley vintner, specializing in the creation of well-balanced and elegant sparkling wines that express the fruitful region. He spent 11 years at the world-renowned Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa, perfecting his craft and contributing to the production of immensely-respected and award-winning sparkling wines.
Both the brut rosé and blanc de blancs are aged en tirage for 18 months, where they undergo their second fermentation in-bottle. The finished result is a sophisticated yet approachable celebration of Northern California’s bountiful terroir. In each wine, you can sense the entrepreneurial spirit that is a trademark of the Phelps family. You can also feel the passion of a winemaker forging her own way forward while honoring the past.
Kelsey’s wines will undoubtedly be a part of many celebrations, lunches, dinners and movie nights. They’re perfect for a wine drinker looking for something traditional and refined, yet reflective of modern California.
And they’re perfect for those 9:30 a.m. poolside moments.
SEPPI 2017 Brut Rosé
Bright and tangy, this brut rosé is 95% chardonnay and 5% pinot noir. The first impression is of tangerine, apple and pear aromas, giving way to a full, bright palate of strawberry and tart cherry. It’s crisp, perfectly tart and well-balanced. Fun meets refinement in this wine!
The limited release (only 396 cases produced) is a brilliant pairing option for tuna tartare or eggs Benedict, or even more casual at-home snacks like buttered popcorn and fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.
As soon as we took a sip, we immediately began dreaming of enjoying this rosé with one of our favorites—a cheese and charcuterie board. Check out our post on the five easy steps to creating a sexy cheese board here, and grab this wine to accompany your creation!
This wine stands just as well on its own as it does alongside food pairings. It will brighten any gathering of family and friends, with bonus points if you can catch some sun while you sip.
SEPPI 2017 Blanc de Blancs
This 100% chardonnay bubbly presents aromas of pineapple upside-down cake, lemon zest and mineral breeze. The mousse is fine, and the finish is crisp and refreshing. On the palate, we found lemon custard, apple and the trademark to this style, brioche. You’ll pick up on California’s terroir while enjoying the classic style of Champagne.
We would pair this wine to elevate seafood like oysters, sushi, or fish tacos. We’d also recommend it to complement richer dishes like butternut squash soup, cacio e pepe, or five-spice chicken.
Another limited release (only 190 cases produced), this blanc de blancs is a wonderful option for any special moment, with or without food. Bring it along to your next special occasion, day or night, any time of year.
Try SEPPI Craft Sparkling Wines
Make a memory with Kelsey Phelps’ delightful, celebratory sparkling wines. Both the 2017 brut rosé and the 2017 blanc de blancs are available for purchase from their online store (link below). We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Get in Touch
Visit the SEPPI Online Store to order a bottle for your next celebration.
Learn more about the wine at the SEPPI Craft Sparkling Wine Website.
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