Kelby James Russell is the former Winemaker at Red Newt Cellars. For almost a decade he produced exceptional wines under his signature Winemaker Series inspired by different wine regions in the world close to Kelby’s heart, including Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Dry Rose of Cabernet Franc.
Kelby has departed Red Newt to pursue his own project , Apollo’s Praise, and has left behind the “Kelby James Russell” wine brand that he has built for the past decade. We are pleased to offer a great selection of these beautiful library wines at prices that will boggle your mind.
$17.95/bottle (case discounts apply) / $126 on select 12 bottle cases!
Please visit links below to find them at our online store.
View all Kelby James Russell wines
2016 Riesling – Kelby James Russell
Classic petrol, with notes of lemon pith, apricot, and candied lime peel. The Kelby James Russell Riesling was inspired by the style of one of the world’s great and overlooked Riesling producing countries, Australia. Made with 100% Riesling from the rich fruit of Tango Oaks Vineyard on Seneca Lake, it is our twist on an age-worthy style. RS: 0.1% TA: 7.2 g/L pH: 3.05 ALC: 12.6%
2017 Riesling – Kelby James Russell
Made with 100% Riesling from the rich fruit of Tango Oaks Vineyard on Seneca Lake, it is Kelby’s twist on an age-worthy style. A hint of perfume on the nose, with salty grapefruit and nose on the palate. You would be rewarded by ageing this wine, but it is certainly ready to drink now. Best enjoyed while listening to “Your Best American World” – Mitski RS: 0.1% TA: 6.75 pH: 3.18 ALC: 12.1%
2019 Riesling – Kelby James Russell
This 2019 bottling of the Kelby James Russell Riesling showcases aromas of jasmine, with racy acidity and flavors of granny smith apple. Best enjoyed while listening to “In the Real World” by Leatherface. RS: 0.1% TA: 7.5 g/L pH: 3.14 ALC: 12.2%
2020 Riesling – Kelby James Russell
2020 was a fantastic year for growing grapes in the Finger Lakes, and this bottling of Riesling just shines. A ripe Riesling with flavors of quince, pear and grilled pineapple. Best enjoyed while listening to “Prisoner (featuring Dua Lipa) – Miley Cyrus RS: 0.1% TA: 7.35 g/L pH: 3.15 ALC: 13.2%
2021 Riesling – Kelby James Russell
A mineral driven Riesling with laser focused acidity, and electric lime on the palate. Best enjoyed while listening to “Modern Love” – David Bowie RS: 0.1% TA: 7.5 g/L pH: 3.25 ALC: 13.4%
2020 Gruner Veltliner Kelby James Russell
There are oceans of Grüner Veltliner, both in the New World and Austria, that are pleasant but nondescript white wines. Coming from the back portion of The Knoll vineyard site, with all the opulence that implies, the KJR Grüner Veltliner takes as its inspiration and goal the dense, weighty, and powerful styles that mark top-end Austrian examples. White pepper, flint, and rich fruit run from the nose right through to the palate and finish, with more structure provided by the long ferment in neutral french oak barriques. RS: 0.1% TA: 7.65 g/L pH: 3.20 ALC: 12.7%
2021 Gruner Veltliner – Kelby James Russell
There are oceans of Grüner Veltliner, both in the New World and Austria, that are pleasant but nondescript white wines. Coming from the back portion of The Knoll vineyard site, with all the opulence that pedigree implies, the KJR Grüner Veltliner takes as its inspiration and goal the dense, weighty, and powerful styles that mark top-end Austrian examples. White pepper, flint, and rich fruit run from the nose right through to the palate and finish, with more structure provided by the long ferment in neutral French oak barriques. Best enjoyed while listening to “Good 4 U” – Olivia Rodrigo RS: 0.1% TA: 3.15 pH: 3.15 ALC: 12.5%
2021 Chardonnay – Kelby James Russell
An exciting addition to the Kelby James Russell line-up, the very first Chardonnay! Chardonnay may be as unfairly maligned a grape as Riesling in its own, albeit far more popular, way. Oaky and buttery this wine is not, however. The KJR Chardonnay is a celebration of how lovely and pure the flavors can be of this grape in a cool climate. Allowed to oxidize as a juice to highlight its savory qualities, fermented on full solids for a flinty edge, and aged in older French oak puncheons to round out the wine, this Chardonnay is a fitting standard bearer for its grape and for The Knoll at Lahoma Vineyard. Best enjoyed while listening to “Defying Gravity” – Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel RS: 0.1% TA: 5.4 g/L pH: 3.45 ALC: 12.9%
2021 Cabernet Franc – Kelby James Russell
Elegant, juicy, fresh. A decidedly old world take on Cabernet Franc, the Kelby James Russell Cabernet Franc aims for the elegance and herbal notes that are hallmarks of this grape in the Loire Valley. Starting with the same fruit as went into the Dry Rosé, this red is a refreshing middle ground between the finesse of Rosé and the fruit concentration of a bigger Cabernet Franc, with savory elements that make it an ideal food companion. RS: 0.1% TA: 5.25g/L pH: 3.6 ALC: 12.0%
