Keenan Winery

In 1974, confident that the mountainside vineyards in Napa Valley could yield world-class wines, Robert Keenan purchased 180 acres in the Spring Mountain District at an elevation of 1,700 feet. His original acreage included the crumbling Peter Conradi Winery, which was founded in the late 19th century and was one of the first pioneering properties in Spring Mountain. Peter Conradi had originally planted the vineyards with Zinfandel and Syrah, but these varieties declined when the property was abandoned during Prohibition. By the time Keenan arrived in 1974, the original vineyards were no longer producing. Robert cleared the estate of tree stumps and rocks, expanded the vineyard acreage, and replanted the property with handpicked grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. He constructed a new winery utilizing the existing stone walls from the old Conradi building and celebrated Keenan Winery’s first harvest there in 1977.

When Michael Keenan took over leadership of the estate in 1998, he focused on replanting the vineyards to enhance grape quality. Since 2007, the estate has embraced sustainability by implementing a solar power system to meet the energy needs of this “green” winery.

Keenan Winery produces distinctive wines exclusively from grapes grown on the Spring Mountain Estate, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Cabernet Franc, and a Merlot Reserve sourced from the Mailbox Vineyard. Additionally, Keenan offers wines crafted from estate fruit blended with grapes sourced from carefully selected Napa Valley vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and the Mernet Reserve, a proprietary blend. The Summer Blend, an annual spring release, primarily features Chardonnay mixed with small amounts of Viognier and Albarino.

At Keenan Winery, the journey to your glass begins long before a bottle is opened. It all starts in the vineyard, where handpicked grapes are an essential step in maintaining the quality and integrity of our Napa Valley wines. But have you ever wondered what makes this process so important?  

Why Handpicking Matters: Our skilled vineyard team carefully selects each grape at the peak of ripeness. This attention to detail ensures only the best fruit makes its way into your bottle, preserving the delicate balance of flavors and aromas. By handpicking grapes, we avoid damaging the fruit, allowing for a cleaner fermentation process that ultimately gives Keenan wines their signature richness and complexity.  

From the gentle touch of the harvesters to the precision timing of when to pick, every step matters when it comes to creating wines that reflect the true essence of Napa Valley.  

Raise your next glass with a deeper appreciation for the work behind the wine, rooted in the rich Keenan Winery history!