Our Story
MEET THE FOUNDER
Kelly E. Carter
Napa Valley Noir® began with Tuscany.
My career as a luxury lifestyle writer and an affinity for travel have taken me to nearly 50 countries and territories, and I've lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Florence. But it was Napa Valley, in 2015, where I found my true calling.
The rolling hills reminded me of the ones I’d left behind in Italy, so I planted roots in America’s premier wine destination. In Napa Valley and Sonoma County, I built relationships with winery owners, winemakers, restaurateurs, chefs and local leaders. Along the way I earned my Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 certification with merit.
Seven years as a director at Napa Valley’s esteemed Alpha Omega winery, combined with a background in sports, entertainment, travel, food, wine, spirits and fashion media, taught me Wine Country’s lifestyle culture from the inside. My contacts let me build bespoke itineraries for the longtime aficionado after something undiscovered and the newcomer who wants a proper introduction.
Noir is an acknowledgment, not a limitation.
As a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, I’ve spent a career deciding who appears in the story. The wine industry has left too many people out. I want them to feel welcome here, and to have the very best of what this place offers.
Two years in, that seems to be working. Bloom, a magazine for women entrepreneurs, named me a 2026 Icon — an award for founders who build something meaningful without big teams, legacy backing or much attention. USA TODAY 10BEST editors nominated 20 wine tour companies; readers voted Napa Valley Noir No. 3 in the country, the highest ranking company based in Napa or Sonoma.
Now come, let me create something inclusive and exclusive for you.
Cheers,
Kelly
Begin Your NVN Journey Now
Giving Back
At Napa Valley Noir, we believe in supporting the future of the wine industry. A portion of our proceeds is proudly donated to Wine Unify, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering wine education for underrepresented minority groups and amplifying the voices of people of color thriving within the wine community. As a mentor with Wine Unify, Napa Valley Noir Founder Kelly E. Carter is committed to contributing to a more inclusive and diverse wine industry.