Keyways winery was originally opened in October 1989 by its founder and winemaker Carl Key. At the time the vineyards were exclusively zinfandel grapes.
In 2004 Terri Pebley, a successful Temecula businesswoman, purchased the winery and surrounding property where she built her new home. Terry transformed the winery. Between 2004 and 2006 the entire estate went through an extensive makeover, including the tasting room, production facility and vineyards.
When it came time to hire a winemaker, she selected one of the best: Michael Tingley winemaker/enologist who has been involved in the production of fine wines for 24 years. Michael Tingley is an experienced wine judge and a professional member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. The old estate vines were removed and replaced by new varieties: viognier, Roussane, Tempranillo and Grenache.
Terri does not leave anything to hazard. She has assembled a senior management team of talented women who understood, from day one, her vision of the winery and together have created a tasting wine facility with an intimate British club kind of atmosphere. The décor is rustic, though elegant. Visitors gather along the bar, sharing comments on the wines they taste. Groups form around the tables or lounge comfortably in cozy sitting areas by the fireplace. The feminine touch is present everywhere: in the décor, in the warm welcome of the staff, in the display and quality of the gift shop. Terri has turn Keyways into a comfortable and entertaining place for wine lovers to visit what she calls the “romantic side” of Temecula’s wine country, far from the traffic of Rancho California road.
After just a few years, the new harvests already proved to be very successful and received several awards at the 2008 New World International Competition. Our favorites are the first crush 2007 rose of Syrah and the 2008 Estate Roussane, (90% Roussane 10% Viognier, first year production). Terri is particularly proud of the new line of “Femina Vita “ wines she is creating with the help of Winemaker Michael Tingley. It appears that women make 60% of the wine purchase decisions, so Terri thought that it was time to make a wine that appeals to the female palate. The beautiful labels on the Femina Vita Wines come from the artwork of Jessel Miller, a Napa artist. Her original paintings are also displayed in the wine tasting room and adjacent area.
Although Terri calls her winery a “ boutique winery “, it is serious size enterprise. The entire property covers 13 acres; 7 acres are currently planted, producing 7000 to 10000 cases a year.
Keyways offer three premier wine clubs to choose from, all with exceptional benefits: Cork club, Master key club and Terri’s Brix Chix a wine club for local ladies. Check the Web page www.keywayswine.com for details.
Keyways vineyard & winery is the perfect romantic setting for wine tasting, weddings, concerts, picnics, meetings or just a stroll around the grounds. Recently Keyways hosted the play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" performed by Shakespeare in the Vines, a Temecula based theater group.
Much has been achieved in 5 years, but we have the feeling that the exceptional entrepreneur Terri Pebley Delhamer is not done amazing all of us. We will keep in touch.
Wine Tasting is available 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. Keyways Vineyard & Winery is located at the confluence of horse country and Wine Country in Temecula valley,37338 DePortola Road, Temecula Ca 92592 (951) 302-7888
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