Kelli Audrey White

Kelli is a sommelier, wine writer and expert on Napa Valley history. She’s the author of Napa Valley, Then & Now (2015), an in-depth look at the history, the land, the wineries, and the wines of Napa Valley, with a special emphasis on tasting notes of older vintages. The critically acclaimed book won both the IACP award for Best New Wine, Beer, or Spirits Book and a Graphis design award. Along with her writing career surrounding Napa Valley, Kelli spent time as a high-profile sommelier, first at New York City’s Veritas and then at PRESS in St. Helena, CA. Her somm work was covered in many of the industry’s most respected publications, including Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, Vinous, and more. 

In 2011, Kelli co-founded a small wine brand called Houndstooth, and in 2013, she was named one of Food & Wine’s top ten sommeliers in the country. She also made a brief appearance in the 2015 documentary Somm II: Into the Bottle. In addition to her writing and sommelier portfolio, she is Director of Education for the Pacific Union Company in Napa Valley.

Kelli is based in Napa Valley, where her nominator Steve Stacionis says she is “the baddest bitch author and smartest woman in all of Napa Valley."  She considers herself two parts Velma, one part Mavrodaphne. Find her on Instagram: @kelliwhitewine.