As we launch our Master Class Series and start taking reservations for our Willamette Travel Experience, we thought it was a timely opportunity to introduce our Master Class Facilitator and upcoming Travel Experience Host! We were fortunate to meet David through our beloved Max Kast, host of our Walla Walla Travel Experience in 2021.
David is one of the smartest, up to date and knowledgeable wine educators we have worked with. However, this was not an overnight process. Master Sommelier David Keck discovered his love for wine while pursuing a career—and traveling the world—as an opera singer.
David passed his Master Sommelier exam in 2016, making him the 149th American Master Sommelier and the 233rd in the world. Shortly after, David co-founded Goodnight Hospitality in Houston. The first project with Goodnight was the honky-tonk Goodnight Charlie’s in 2017, followed by retail shop Montrose Cheese and Wine and the critically acclaimed Rosie Cannonball in 2019.
Previously, David ran Camerata at Paulie’s wine bar for three years, which rose to national acclaim under his leadership. He also spent three years as beverage director for the Uchi Restaurant Group.
In 2020, David returned to his home state of Vermont where he leased the vineyards at Boyden Valley to produce organically grown, low-intervention wines from hybrid grape varieties, simultaneously working as Wine Director for VT Wine Shepherd, an independent distributor.
David was named one of Food & Wine’s Sommeliers of the Year in 2016. He has a Master of Music Degree from Rice University, an undergraduate degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and attended The Juilliard School for Diploma Studies.
Most importantly David makes wine education approachable and entertaining. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is a straight shooter. We love working with David and feel blessed that we get to learn so much from such a stellar and fun guy!
