Our Story
About Cellar Dust
& The Wine Key
The Company
Cellar Dust & The Wine Key was built on a simple premise: the best wine country experience isn't the most expensive one — it's the most considered one. The right winery in the right order, with the right context, at the right time of year, with someone who can tell you why this glass matters.
We are a wine service company specializing in private tasting experiences, expert food and wine pairing, and bespoke travel advisory for Napa Valley and Sonoma County — with more destinations on the way. Every engagement is personal. Every itinerary is original.
The name carries meaning. Cellar dust is the patina of time — what settles on a bottle that's been kept properly, waiting for the right moment. The wine key is the sommelier's instrument — the tool that opens what's been carefully preserved. Together, they stand for the knowledge and patience required to experience wine the way it deserves to be experienced.
How We Work
Our Principles
Curation Over Volume
We'd rather you visit three wineries that genuinely move you than rush through eight. Quality of experience is the only metric we optimize for.
Context Makes Wine
A glass of Rutherford Cab tastes different when you know about the Rutherford Bench, the dust, the angle of afternoon light on the Mayacamas. We provide that context.
No Generic Itineraries
We don't sell packages. Every engagement begins with a conversation about you — your history with wine, your travel style, who you're going with, and what you want to feel.
Relationships, Not Transactions
Our winery and hotel relationships have been built over years. They give our clients access, candor, and experiences that aren't on any website.
On the Horizon
The Wine Country Tour App
A GPS-triggered audio tour for Napa Valley and Sonoma County — narrating winery histories, AVA profiles, and tasting notes as you drive. The app is in development and will be available for iOS and Android.