About The key Napa valley
It would be challenging to talk about George Balling’s history and the genesis of The Key Napa Valley without mentioning a few unforgettable bottles of wine - and the cherished moments that made them special. A 1982 Jordan Cabernet over Italian food at Peponi in Brentwood with Mary, a 1985 Nuits St. Georges from Meo Camuzet at Masas in San Francisco on some monumental birthday many years ago, again with Mary, a 1995 Truchard Chardonnay on the deck of their first wine country home shared with family shortly after purchasing the property, and a 2012 Scarecrow at a steak house in Oklahoma City, with a couple who are dear friends and the main inspiration for this venture.
Everyone’s wine ride, everyone’s fondness for wine starts there, those memorable bottles that make you want to try more. For most of us we will want to find more favorites and grow that list of the memorable ones. And here we are!
George came to love wine after a successful first career in financial services. Business travel and dinner meetings laid the foundation for his knowledge and appreciation, but it wasn’t until he and his wife, Mary Lancaster, purchased a small mid-century home in Kenwood – the heart of Sonoma Valley – that their true wine exploration began. Their home had a small wine room and a large dining room that became the setting for countless evenings of tasting, learning and entertaining, immersed in wine country they embraced the culture wholeheartedly.
After leaving their first careers they moved to Kenwood full time and cut their teeth in the business at Chateau St. Jean for Mary and at Chateau St. Jean and Balletto Vineyards for George. At Balletto, George not only refined his expertise in hospitality and wine sales but also co-designed Balletto’s first dry rosé with then winemaker Dan Cederquist - a wine that went on to win gold at a San Francisco wine competition.
The idea of a retail wine shop, focusing on George’s love of wine, cooking and entertaining, and Mary’s love of wine, décor and entertaining started to come into focus. After so many successful and popular dinner parties at their home, the idea of The Dinner Party was born. As Mary’s father struggled with health problems the couple decided to move to the Northwest to open their business in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho close to where Mary's father lived. Together they built The Dinner Party into the dominant wine shop, and beloved gift and décor shop in the area. During this time, George deepened his knowledge of the global wine industry and cultivated meaningful relationships with top winemakers and winery owners. The shop was so successful that 16 years later they sold the shop, and shortly after moved back to Northern California, ultimately settling in Napa.
Since the time of their business sale a small group of customers have gently nudged George to return to the retail wine business. Despite exploring other opportunities, George felt an undeniable pull back to the retail wine world. Encouraged by longtime customers and friends, he founded The Key Napa Vally, a strategic and exclusive business focusing on attaining the most difficult wines to find for friends and clients, those who engender as much passion as the wine they enjoy.