In the Vineyard: Meet Kelly Johnson
When we stop at the liquor store to grab a bottle of wine on our way to a friend’s, we'll likely reach for a local FLX wine like Knapp. But in the rush of the moment, we don’t stop to appreciate the hard work, the passion, the knowledge, and the people that go into the years-long process of getting that bottle on the shelf. Kelly Johnnson is one of those integral people.
The assistant Vineyard Manager here at Knapp, Kelly offers us invaluable experience and knowledge from working in wine literally all over the globe.
Lead Foot
“She’s got a crazy lead foot, don’t forget to write that down!” a co-worker exclaims while we sit down to chat with Kelly.
This fact alone is telling of Kelly and her story––fearless, adventurous, a leader.
Johnson got into viniculture during her worldly travels, finding vineyard work while in Central Otago New Zealand, a world-renowned region for wine. She’s worked in vineyards all over the world, including Germany, Spain, Portugal, and even worked in a wine shop while living in Brooklyn.
Being back in the FLX seems like a full circle moment, as Kelly was originally drawn here to get her degree in viticulture at FLCC.
Springtime in the Vineyards
When asked what her favorite time of year at the winery is, Kelly is quick to answer: Spring. It’s a time where she can be outside caring for the vineyards doing the important, albeit overlooked, work of setting up the vines for success for years to come. A skilled welder, her favorite part of the job is being on the tractor and maintaining the machinery needed for the work.
Her favorite Knapp wine? Sparkling Brut. Johnson loves a good grower champagne.
Grower Champagne is a sparkling wine that’s grown, vinified, and aged by a specific grape grower and his/her family. The winemaker cultivates the vineyards, harvests the fruit, and produces the wines with his/her own hands. It’s like farmer’s market produce or single-origin coffee–it’s got a special care and quality that just can’t be replicated.
Adventurous Spirit
When Kelly isn’t in the vineyards, she’s out embracing life. She’s an avid rock climber, lover of travel, and seeker of live music.
If you’re lucky, you might spot her at her favorite watering hole: Microclimate, a charming local wine bar on Linden Street in Geneva.
When asked about Knapp, Johnson says she’s excited for its evolution and what the future holds. We’re just as excited to see her future success continue to grow, and are incredibly grateful to have Kelly’s skill, knowledge, and passion.
It can’t be overstated that wine production is not possible without people and the work they do year-round.
