Michael Keenan at Keenan Winery Napa Valley California

Michael Keenan’s life changed forever in 1997 when his father, Robert Keenan, asked if he was

interested in managing the Spring Mountain winery founded by Robert in 1974. Although several years

had passed since he’d set foot on the property high on the Mayacamas mountain range of Napa Valley,

Michael’s first thought when he arrived at the winery that spring was, “I have to keep this beautiful

place in the family.”

Michael Keenan grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in a family that regularly included the enjoyment

of wine as a part of daily life. His mother’s European heritage brought good wines from Bordeaux and

Burgundy to the dinner table, providing young Michael with an early education about the benefits of

pairing wine and food. He was thrilled when his father purchased 180 acres of forestland 1700 feet

above the Napa Valley floor on Spring Mountain in 1974—even more exciting, the property included the

defunct and crumbling Prohibition-era Conradi Winery. Robert replaced rocks and tree stumps with new

Chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon Napa valley 2009 wines, restored the old winery (a new roof was

installed on top of the original stone walls), and the Keenan family celebrated their first harvest on

Spring Mountain in 1977.

Michael spent the next year working at Keenan Winery under the tutelage of renowned winemaker Joe

Cafaro, learning about making wine through the ‘hands-on’ approach. He left Keenan shortly after,

taking a job with the contractor responsible for restoring the old stone winery, and spent several

months building homes at Sea Ranch, a planned community south of the town of Gualala on the

Sonoma Coast of Northern California. Michael left the U.S. the next year and traveled internationally,

living for a short while in an ashram in Delhi, India, then moving on to work as a carpenter in Germany.

He returned to the U.S. in late 1979, and for the next few years built ‘spec’ homes in Santa Rosa and Pt.

Richmond. In 1986, he and a partner founded a home renovation company in Oakland, and by the mid-

1990s, had developed the company into a very successful business.

Michael considers himself fortunate that he has retained the dedicated staff—they’ve all been a part of

Keenan Winery for almost two decades now—and credits general manager Matt Gardner, cellar master

Randy Kewell, and hospitality manager Laura March for the superior quality Napa valley cabernet

sauvignon wine Keenan is known for today.Michael reiterates, “I’m proudest of our team and the work

we’ve done together since I’ve been at Keenan; they are fabulous people and I trust them fully. I owe

our success to their loyalty and support.” In addition, renowned winemaker Nils Venge was brought on

board as a consultant in 1994, and while Nils’ considerable winemaking and viticulture expertise

continues to be a vital asset, Michael now makes all final winemaking decisions for Keenan wines.

Soon after taking leadership of the winery, and inspired by Rachel Carson’s 1962 best seller, “Silent

Spring,” Michael began a viticulture program focused on increasing soil health in the vineyard through

organic farming and the use of organic compost and cover crops. As a result, today almost all of the 48

acres of Keenan estate vineyards have been re-planted with an eye toward making sure every acre is

sustainably farmed and planted with the right varietal clone. The Keenan Napa Valley vineyard also

boasts a solar power system that went on-line in 2007, supplying all of the winery’s power needs, as well

as the administrative offices, visitor hospitality area, and the homes located on the property. Recognized

by the Napa Valley Vintners as a ‘green’ winery, each back label of Keenan estate wines now proudly

affirms “Solar Powered and Sustainably Farmed.”

Today, in addition to working at the winery, Michael spends a considerable amount of his time traveling

throughout the United States on behalf of Keenan Winery, tirelessly extolling the excellence of its wines.

He regularly hosts winemaker dinners at restaurants, private clubs, and resorts featuring current and

library offerings of Keenan wine Napa valley. In addition, Michael works directly with highly respected

wine brokers and distributors to help sell Keenan wines in the national market.

When he’s not working or traveling on behalf of Keenan Winery, Michael enjoys playing football with a

group of friends who have been engaging in the game each Tuesday and Friday for the past 32 years. He

also plays golf as often as possible and is happy when he can combine an opportunity for a game when

traveling on behalf of the winery.

Michael is married and lives in Oakland, California with his wife Jennifer. Jennifer Walker Keenan, a 7th

generation Californian, is an expert design and event planner, responsible for the classic Keenan image.

She created the unique label design for the winery and has modernized the dining and Wine Tasting

Room in Napa Valley. Jennifer is responsible for all aspects of special events held at Keenan Winery.