Keenan Winery

Jennifer, a.k.a. wine-wife, winery advisor, artistic director, interior designer, marketing collateral designer, strategic partner, den mother, comedian, the class-in-our-act and all around glue for the winery team is an expert wine event planning and design maven. She is responsible for the classic Keenan image and created the unique label design for the brand. An artist in every sense of the word, her stunning design elements can be seen throughout the winery, especially in the new lighting and artwork installed during the 2014 remodel of the hospitality and administrative areas of Keenan Winery. Jennifer manages all aspects of special events held at Keenan Winery, including the very popular members-only Summer Open House Party. In addition, she is an active supporter of the Oakland Museum of Art and Best Friends Animal Society’s annual “Strut Your Mutt” fundraising effort, among many other artistic and animal-loving endeavors.

Michael Keenan is the owner and president of Keenan Winery. Michael Keenan assumed leadership of the estate vineyards and winery from his father, Robert Keenan in 1998, and gradually replanted many acres and refined the winemaking process with his small, but nimble team. (These dedicated individuals, have worked continuously at Keenan since 1995!) Michael Keenan was introduced to the pleasures of wine at home. As a young boy, he was eager to learn about winemaking and began honing his winemaking skills “on the job,” under the leadership of his father Robert Keenan and renowned winemaker Joe Cafaro. Today, Michael Keenan works in concert with the team to make the best vineyard and winemaking decisions, and to engage with visitors in the Keenan tasting room. While he accepts responsibility for making the final decisions for each aspect of the winery, he believes Keenan’s success can be attributed to the efforts of the winery’s talented staff.

Reilly is the son of Michael and Jennifer Keenan and has been immersed in wine culture from a very early age. As a vital member of the Keenan winery team beginning at age sixteen, Reilly works during grape harvesting, hosts tastings for visitors on the estate, pours for wine events and is the dedicated point person for many consumer and trade events. He lives at the winery and works promoting the wines and winery, as the third generation of the Keenan family to have a major role at the winery.

If you run into Reilly Keenan at the winery, he will share with you tales of what it’s like to grow up immersed in wine culture, as the 3rd generation of Keenans to follow his love and passion of wine. Like his father, Michael, the president of Keenan Winery, and his grandfather, Robert, Reilly grew up amongst the estate vines on Spring Mountain. Beginning at age sixteen, Reilly worked every harvest. He also hosts tastings for visitors on the estate, and is the dedicated point person for many consumer and trade events.

After studying Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Reilly continued to broaden his knowledge of the wine industry through work in fine wines for restaurants. He brings this passion for wine, and the knowledge he’s gained, to everything he does. For example, Reilly worked in Atlanta, GA as a Keenan specialist with one of Keenan’s broad market distribution partners. This has brought him full circle back to his roots and a full-time commitment to Keenan Winery. Reilly is now an integral part of the Keenan winemaking team, made up of his father, Michael; the cellar master, Art; and winery general manager, Matt. He will tell you about maintaining the established winemaking and aging protocols that shape the style of Keenan wines.

As Reilly has a hand in the process from vine to bottle, he has cultivated a unique perspective on winemaking, while contributing to creating the outstanding wines that the winery is known for. Much like his father did when he joined the winery full time in 1998, Reilly is already bringing his own ideas and dreams for the future of Keenan Winery. He also stays on the pulse of the business by maintaining relationships with key accounts in San Francisco and the CA market. Get the inside story on the winery and the future of winemaking at Keenan from Reilly.

Maddy is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Keenan and grew up in a home where wine was a welcomed part of her life. Currently studying for a degree in medicine, Maddy appreciates the health benefits of red wine (medicinal wine) and joins her family on a regular basis to host Keenan Winery open houses and special events on the estate. She regularly represents the wines at tastings in Southern California and, when her study schedule permits, she is a charming host to visitors in the Keenan Winery tasting room.

Matt Gardner is the General Manager of Keenan Winery and has been a vital member of the team since late 1994. Graduating from Cal-Poly in the spring of 1994 with a degree in Agriculture and Fruit Science, he is also trained in enology and viticulture. Known for his easy-going, patient manner and great organizational skills, he also possesses an intimate knowledge of the exceptional terroir of Spring Mountain. He was instrumental in identifying just the right varietal rootstock for each respective vineyard site on the Keenan estate and helped direct the replanting effort carried out in 1998. A hard working, veteran member of the Keenan team, Matt participates in the winemaking effort at Keenan by managing the necessary lab work and analysis. He is also responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of Keenan Winery as well as directing the popular Keenan Wine Club.

Nils Venge is a consultant to Keenan Winery and advises Michael Keenan on winemaking and viticulture practices. A celebrated Napa Valley winemaker, Nils has been consulting for Keenan Winery since 1994 and his considerable winemaking and viticulture expertise continues to be a vital asset to the winery. Today, Michael Keenan makes all final winemaking decisions for Keenan wines.

Aristeo Martinez is the assistant cellar manager for Keenan Winery. “Art” has been a member of the Keenan team since 2003 and is a recognized “jack of all trades.” He can usually be found at the heart of the winemaking process —racking barrels, assisting with harvest and crush, driving the forklift, unloading bins, and providing support in the transfer of wine to barrels following fermentation. He is a big fan of Keenan Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Art and his wife Maria live in the Napa Valley with their daughter Angela.

Laura March is the Wine Tasting Room Manager of Keenan Winery and began working there in 1996. Today she is the first contact for visitors to Keenan Winery, welcoming each guest with genuine warmth. Born and raised in St. Helena, Laura’s extensive knowledge of the area is an encyclopedia of information on the Napa Valley, including where to eat, the best place for a picnic (Keenan, of course!), or advice on where to take Fido for a quick walk. Laura manages all tastings at the winery, comfortably hosting consumers or arranging intricate tastings for wine industry trade representatives. She is especially well known for her superior customer service to long-time Keenan wine club members as well as to new visitors to the estate.