Jed Steel has had a wild ride in the wine industry starting as a cellar worker at Stony Hill in Napa Valley, founding Edmeades Winery in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley, then starting Kendall-Jackson and making wines there for nine years as that winery grew to producing over a million cases. In 1991 Jed started his own brand in the quiet village of Kelseyville in Lake County.
Steele Wines sources fruit from vineyards in Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Mendocino and Lake Counties. His flagship wine, as at Kendall-Jackson, is his famous Chardonnay. Currently seven different versions are available including vineyard designated wines from Bien Nacido, Lolonis, Sangiacomo, and Parmelee-Hill vineyards. He also makes many wines in small lots with some in quantities of just 1000 cases. Try their Pinot Blanc, Viogner, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Syrah. Also look for their Shooting Star and Writers Block brands.
The tasting room is at the corner of Thomas Drive and Highway 29 between Keseyville and Lakeport. Grassy lawns and mature trees shade the office and the cozy tasting room facilities. The tasting room counter is made from the wood staves from an old wine barrel. There are crayons and coloring books for the kids and plenty of wines to taste.
