Keenan Winery
In 1974, certain that mountainside vineyards in Napa Valley could produce world class wines, Robert Keenan purchased 180 acres in the Spring Mountain District at an elevation of 1,700 feet. The original acreage Robert acquired included the crumbling Peter Conradi Winery, founded in the late 19th century and one of the first pioneering properties established on Spring Mountain. Peter Conradi had originally planted the vineyards to Zinfandel and Syrah, but they declined when the property was abandoned during Prohibition. By the time Keenan arrived in 1974, none of the original vineyards were producing. Robert cleared the estate of tree stumps and rocks, extended the original vineyard acreage and replanted the property to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. He built a new winery using 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, the vineyards were replanted with an eye toward increasing grape quality. Since 2007, the estate uses a solar power system to supply energy needs for this “green” winery.
Keenan Winery produces distinctive wines exclusively from grapes grown on the Spring Mountain Estate: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Cabernet Franc and a Merlot Reserve from the Mailbox Vineyard. Keenan also offers wines produced from estate fruit blended with grapes grown in carefully selected Napa Valley vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and the Mernet Reserve, which is a proprietary blend. The Summer Blend, an annual spring release, is composed of mostly Chardonnay and blended with small amounts of Viognier and Albarino.
Handpicking Affects future wine quality
From the Keenan Crew...
At Keenan Winery, the journey to your glass begins long before a bottle is opened. It all starts in the vineyard, where handpicking grapes is an essential step in maintaining the quality and integrity of our 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, we avoid damaging the grapes, allowing for a cleaner fermentation process, which 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!
