I recently was introduced to Keenan wines at a wine pairing dinner at Beaujolais Bistro. At the dinner I met the father son team that now runs the family owned winery in the hills between Santa Rosa and St Helena. I enjoyed listening to their story of being second and third generation on vineyard and their philosophy on wine production. So Riley helped set me up a tasting when I went out to the area. It's quite the drive up Spring Mountain Road. The road seems a bit on the narrow and you'll see first hand the recent fire damage. Melted guard rails, blackened trees, and a few foundations missing their homes. The winery has a gated access. Following the road up to the tasting room and office building for a fantastic view of the hills covered in vines. Laura lead us through our tasting - 2018 Chardonnay Spring Mountain $40 2017 Merlot Napa Valley $46 2017 Merlot Reserve Mailbox Vineyard $77 2017 Cabernet Franc Spring Mountain $72 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $60 2017 Mernet Reserve Spring Mountain $110 a unique delicious blend I really enjoyed 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Spring Mountain $117 2017 Zinfandel Napa Valley $42 2017 Syrah Napa Valley $42 my other favorite. Keenan has been solar powered since 2007. They are environmentally pro-active in energy sourcing and their sustainable farming practices. You do need a reservation for a tasting. The tasting is comfortable but not huge. The parking area is small. Laura will probably be your tasting hostess and I hope you get a chance to meet Riley. read more

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My son and I visited Keenan 2 days ago. Laura guided us though the Keenan wine lineup. I thought all wines were really impressive and well made. Our favorites were the Upper Bowl Cab Franc and the Mailbox Merlot. The chardonnay was very well balanced with only a slight hint of oak and no malolactic fermentation (I am not really fond of buttery or oaky chardonnays). The reds were well balanced and not overly extracted or overripe like many modern Napa reds. They were more in a French style or the style of Napa wines in the early 80s. I think they could age for a while. Overall, this is really a great winery. We left with a case. The only drawback is the twisty road on Spring Mountain leading to the estate. read more

Family wineries are something that should be more of a norm at Napa for tastings. There's no pressure to buy any of the wines, but if you find a bottle that you like, then the tasting will be comped. Starting off, the location is a little bit remote because it's high up on a mountain, but how many wineries that you taste at are on the top of a mountain. Second, their ethos is unparalleled--sustainable and hella eco friendly. It feels refreshing to escape the commercial tastings and to come to a winery that expresses themselves without a focus on profit only(what seems like most wineries in Napa-- all about $$$). read more

Great views and wine. It was especially nice to be able to have a picnic on the premises. Very laid back compared to other wineries in the area. read more

I unfortunately met the owner at a wine tasting event at a country club here in PA . what a pompous ass !!! He berated the one server for pronouncing one of his wines wrong ,each wine had a food paring and unfortunately.... a story which none of us could bare . I also had saw him earlier in the day before this started and after his round of golf .....stiffed the bartender in a tip even though he was spending the night at our club as a guest and im sure drank and ate on the club was so arrogant when my friend asked him a question as we were coming to the event that evening. All in all subpar wine from a very subpar human being .Treat our staff at CC with respect as we all do . read more

What a pleasure it was to taste wine with Elizabeth up on Spring Mountain. A beautiful winery set up on the hillside. Great views of the vineyard and great juice. You can bring a lunch and sit at one of their picnic tables overlooking the vines. read more

Highlight of our trip! Laura took great care of us and was patient with a group of 14 on their second stop of the day wanting pictures, conversation and some wine. The tasting was educational and interactive. She played a few "guessing games" with us that made the group think a bit more about each wine they tried and the wine in each blend. The quality (amazing) of the wines and the price (very low by comparison to others in the region) was a great surprise! We left with a case and will be buying much more! read more

Friends introduced me to this place a few years ago and it now has become a ritual stop if i am on the mountain drinking or visiting friends. Their wines are fine examples of style and taste that can only come from Spring Mountain. I look forward every summer to the release of their summer blend, a refreshing combination of fruit, acid and floral -- a great everyday wine. If you go ask about their secret wine, its an amazing 50% Cab 50% Merlot blend from vines that are "side by side." Its worth a visit, the staff are warm and welcoming and know their stuff. Drink Up! read more

Robert Keenan Winery - Wineries Near Me - St. Helena, California

Had my first visit at Keenan Winery a couple of weeks ago and I am so glad I stopped by for a visit. My wife and I had a great tasting with Laura who was very warm, friendly, inviting and took us through all of their current offerings. This place is one of the few family-owned wineries left in the valley and the wines truly reflect that with their character. For the money, the wines produced here are a steal. For anyone looking for great Napa wines still reasonably affordable then this is the place for you. read more

We were assisted by Laura, who was awesome! We had the opportunity to taste a pretty big lineup of wines. Some being Spring Mountain Wines that we're great! In all, the CabFranc! The Spring Mountain Reserve cab, the Napa Cab, the Syrah, the Mernet and the Zin were top on my list. I believe I just about named most of the wines we tasted. If you want a good quality tasting that won't break the bank, make a reservation to taste at Keenan. You won't regret it. read more

Had an amazing tasting with Laura as our host! She was so welcoming and spent a good amount of time with us. We got to try a really nice range of wines all the way from Chardonnay to Syrah. They were all very well balanced and we really enjoyed the Merlot and Cab Franc. The view is absolutely beautiful overlooking the vineyard. I would highly recommend checking this place out next time you're in Napa! read more

After driving a pretty sketchy road we had a wonderful experience with Elizabeth. Great information and stories. Excellent wine and reasonable shipping. Not to be missed especially the side by side. read more

We were warmly welcomed by Riley and Hashbrown - not to mention a lovely fire in the fireplace - as we arrived for the last tasting on a rainy February Sunday. You never know what you'll get with the last tasting on Sunday - you could get a host who is just ready to be done after a long day, or you could get someone who's happy to take their time and polish off bottles with new friends. Riley was by far the latter. He took so much time to visit with us, tell us stories both interesting, funny and self-effacing. He was as charming as the wines were wonderful, and I couldn't help but think that underneath all that friendliness and relaxed, easygoing banter, there was probably a very driven young man, with an intense desire to succeed. We had such a lovely time learning about the vineyards, the different elevations and directions, the micro-climates and the history of the brand. I know we were merely scratching the surface, but I left feeling like I had learned a lot. This was the first time I'd ever gotten to taste directly from the barrel, and the cool cellar was such a treat to see. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. read more

Absolutely perfect place for a wine tasting in Napa. Great wines, superb location and excellent staff. The cab franc is a must try. read more

Robert Keenan Winery - Wineries Near Me - St. Helena, California

My two best friends from grad school won a free lunch and wine tasting for 4 at this winery and invited me to join them. We were given a brief tour of the beautiful vineyards by Michael, who provided lots of interesting information about the way they run things. Keenan Winery is the only winery in Napa that uses solar energy panels, and it's really cool to see these eco-friendly devices at work. The grounds are lovely, especially the main tasting room which is housed in the original farmhouse from over a century ago. You can tell that the staff are one big family--in fact, many are related by marriage or blood. There is an adorable, friendly black Lab named Scrappy who isn't afraid to shower you with affection. I'm not sure who he belongs to, but he's such a cute presence! :) Our lunch was a delicious homemade feast of marinated pork chops with sauteed mushrooms and garlic, the best polenta I have ever eaten in my life, and salad. There was also a homemade pesto twist bread that was to die for, and homemade pecan and chocolate chip brownies for dessert. The culinary genius behind everything was Laura, another staff member and sort of the matriarch of the winery. Of course, no lunch at a winery would be complete without wine. We enjoyed a bottle of their 2008 Red (a blend of chardonnay, cab sav and merlot) and a 2008 bottle of their Merlot. The blend had a very unique flavor but the Merlot was the real showstopper. It was absolutely delicious, a smooth yet somewhat tart wine with hints of blackberries. Our wine tasting also included tastings of their chardonnay and zinfandel, both of which, unfortunately, did not impress me very much. If you are touring Napa Valley, Keenan Winery is definitely worth a visit. Tastings are by appointment only and that is because the windy uphill road to the winery is only wide enough for one car with almost no shoulder to pull over, so the staff make sure to give their guests plenty of time to drive up and down the mountain. Keenan is very much off the beaten path. Having toured many of the more famous, commercial wineries in Napa, it's refreshingly different. À vos santé! read more

Keenan Winery was recommended to us by the wine buyer at our local wine shop. I was trying to do a variety of tastings and thought a Spring Mountain winery was a good choice. It's a pleasant drive up Spring Mountain Road and there is a nice view from the balcony in the tasting room. Reservations are required and can be made online through CellarPass. Tastings here are more casual and low-key than other wineries, which I prefer. I tend towards chardonnay and big, bold red wines. They had a nice selection of both. My husband particularly liked the Zinfandel. We ended up buying a 2013 Chardonnay, two 2012 Merlots, a 2012 Cabernet Franc, a 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2012 Zinfandel. Since it's summer now and our order has to be sent across the country, they are holding it for a Fall shipment. I look forward to getting it. Cheers! read more

Robert Keenan Winery - Wineries Near Me - St. Helena, California

Without a doubt, Keenan Winery is producing amazing wines! We loved everything we tried (enough to become wine club members) and would hold them up to any of the great bottles in Napa wine country. The price point is a great value and we enjoyed our visit there very much. It's a laid back experience and a beautiful property. A must see! read more

Back in the 1970's Robert Keenan restored this winery and vineyards, which had originally been cultivated before prohibition. Now they regularly churn out acclaimed wines under the guidance of consulting winemaker Nils Venge, who in 1985 became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect score from Robert Parker for his 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Keenan is known for big, briary Cabernet and Merlot with mountain tannins and restrained and elegant fruit. The mountain cabin-esque winery is perched on the slopes of Spring Mountain, overlooking the vineyards and the valley farther below. The tasting bar and table overlooks the barrels, under cathedral wood ceilings. A cool setting befitting the mountain location. Laura, our pourer was very friendly and even walked us through the office to a porch overlooking the vineyards. We were served a great assortment of cheeses along with the wines. Very nice, but casual at the same time. Overall the wines were very enjoyable, a nice way to start the day. read more

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Friends made an appointment and we tagged along. Excellent time. The wine is really good. Love when it's grown at altitude. Our hosted did a great job. Knowledgeable. Other patrons were equally great. No pretension, just a great time. I very much encourage people to put the effort in and make a visit happen. read more

Had a great wine tasting experience at Robert Keenan Winery. Enjoyed all their wines and came close to joining their wine club to be able to have their wines on a regular basis. Elizabeth provided us with excellent hospitality which added to our memorable experience. This winery was recommended to us by our sister in law; it is off the beaten path so make sure to call and make reservations. The wine and the views of the valley below are well worth it. Left with about 8 bottles of their lovely wine. read more

We had a wonderful tasting with Laura. She was so welcoming and made us feel like part of the Robert Keenan family. Laura guided us through 8 different wines telling us where the grapes were grown on the property and their fermentation process. We were so impressed with each wine we tasted, we joined their wine club. If you are looking for a winery off the beaten path, Robert Keenan is your place. read more

The tasting room is under construction so they were using their office as the temporary tasting site. The carpet smelled like dog and there were stacks of paper and clutter everywhere. It really needs to be cleaned up If they want to continue using this for their tasting room. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is that everyone there was so nice. The owner and their dog greeted us when we drove up. Laura who was conducting the tasting was also nice We would have liked to have learned more about their wines etc but there were 2 customers there that didn't know anything about anything and they did ask a lot of basic questions so maybe Laura didn't want to overwhelm them. I love the Spring Mountain wineries. Much cooler in temperature and also not on the "strip" I would recommend Pride Mountain wineries. read more

Ok I have been to the Napa Valley 12 times over the last 15 years and have been to many wineries and had many great experiences. But I have to say that this one was one of my favorite experiences. The personal service showed to us was over the top! They don't have one of those plush tasting rooms with white tablecloths and tuxedo clad guys serving you but I will take this place anytime over those stuffy places. We were entertained by two of the three generations of wine makers. The wines were top notch and the vineyard dog Hashbrown was a blast to be around. We went on the "near-death" (Not really) ride through the vineyards and you just can't get any better or closer to the action than that. If you get a chance you should definitely go. read more

Robert Keenan Wine is beyond description. Dollar-for-dollar, I will challenge anyone to find a finer blend than Keenan's 50/50 Cab/Merlot "Mernet". I have a case of '07 and '08 and differences are nuanced, but I'll put either up against any $100 bottle in my cellar. I travel to Napa and Sonoma twice a year and have visited many wineries and tasted countless wines. I'm fortunate to live in San Diego part of the year where I can readily purchase Keenan wine (Jonathan's, La Jolla) without even getting in my car. The Keenan winery experience is much like many report on Yelp. It's down-to-earth, off the beaten path and homey. It's not the over-the-top experience or sleek, high tech operation you'll find at Quintessa, Opus One, Cliff Lede or Vineyard 29, but it is wines are on par and the place is friendly and enjoyable just the same. The grounds are beautiful atop Spring Mountain, there's a picnic table to enjoy a snack or a meal with your wine. Since Keenan's not really set up to handle the hordes, you might find them overwhelmed by just a few simultaneous visitors, so be patient and chillax. read more

This is hands-down my favorite winery in Napa. It's got all the things I love and none of the things I hate about the region... It is family-owned, off the beaten path, has a cozy, friendly atmosphere, and has absolutely fantastic wines. I'll admit that this might not be for the 1st-timer or casual tourist. Although the views from Spring Mountain are stunning, Keenan doesn't have an impressive facility or an in-depth walkabout tour. At the same time, you can bet you will be given very personal attention by one of the family, and you can discuss their wine making process over a glass of their Robert Parker 90+ pointed wines and a slab of tasty cheese. I'll readily admit that I enjoyed (and still enjoy) the Cakebread experience now and again - but it feels so manufactured in comparison to places like Keenan. These guys are not snobby about their wines, and the prices are reasonable and always represent top quality. They've got family dogs sprawled on the floor and fantastically plump chairs to ease into while you're savoring the atmosphere and the vino. Check out Keenan the next time you're thinking of hitting wine country. You will not be disappointed. read more

My wife and I visited Keenan a few weeks ago and had a blast. If you are looking for the touristy crowd or want something on 29, don't come here. However, if you are looking for great wine, you must visit! Keenan's cabs are absolutely beautiful - if you don't believe me just look at the Parker reviews. Their cabs are big but very approachable and have a great balance of acidity and fruit. Just so darn good! Plus, you are not going to find a better quality/price ratio in NV. The ride up Spring Mtn. Road is not easy so if you have been drinking I would recommend a designated driver or rent a town car, etc. A truly great portfolio of wines that have found a permanent place in my cellar!! read more

Their wines are superb and matched by their customer service. You'll need to make an appointment. The days of strolling into Napa Valley and pulling into a winery and doing a tasting are much more difficult, especially if you're looking to taste quality wine. I contacted them and spoke with Laura. She set-up the tasting and ended up pouring for us on the day of. It's off the beaten path and nestled up against Spring Mountain. Our group had the tasting room all to ourselves during our experience. The party after ours arrived early but, we were almost done so, we didn't mind them hanging out on the sofa's and outside on the patio. Laura was fantastic. She provided lots of detail and specifics about the wine/ without making the tasting about her. Also, I disagree with another yelper who commented that their price points are high compared to Sonoma. Not trying to be difficult, I just simply disagree. Bottom-line, the price of grapes per tonnage is always going to be more expensive in Napa than anywhere else in California, or for that matter, anywhere else in the United States. The real price comparison should not be compared from either Sonoma or Napa, but rather, from the same varietal, same vintage, same appellation. In that regard, Kennan is very reasonably priced. I was pleasantly surprised at their price point ($30-$90). It's difficult to find a good concentrated red varietal in Napa Valley from any mountain appellation selling for under $90. Definitely worth visiting. read more

We always love going to the Keenan Winery. We have been wine club members for over a year and really like the annual Members wine reception. The Mailbox Merlot has been a favorite for us but we recently fell in love with the Mernet! Can't wait to see the tasting room after the renovation. read more

Robert Keenan Winery - Driving up the to the entrance - Wineries Near Me - St. Helena, California

Then it comes to Napa Valley wine, I have always gravitated toward Spring Mountain. If you love Cabernet Franc and Merlot, some of the best of the best can be found here. Wineries like Pride and Paloma have always topped my "Best of" list. Add Keenan. Personally, Keenan's Cabernet Franc and Merlot are my favorites, but across the board, their wines are good. Customer service has always been a plus, and the one time I forgot to make a reservation, they were very accommodating. If you're seeking a large, overly corporate winery, keep driving. If you're seeking something more personalized and intimate, make your way to this place. read more

A little bit of a ride to get to the vineyard but well worth the drive! .....and the wines!!!! Family owned and operated with history you must hear. The wines are excellent and have been a favorite of ours for years. You won't be disappointed ~ so when in Napa ~ make sure this one is on your visit list! read more

Keenan is a nice, friendly, down to earth tasting. Interesting to taste and informative about the vineyards and region, which was particularly useful to put their wines in perspective of the valley. Also a friendly wine dog came to great us. Apparently he usually barks to announce tasters arrival, but here he was more than happy to get some scratches and laid at our feet for whole tasting. Nothing spectacular, but a solid tasting all around. Tasting: 6 wines (1 chard, 1 syrah, 1 zin, 1 merlot, 1 red blend, 1 cab) Price: $10 comp'd with purchase Appointment: required Overall: Solid wines, solid tasting, reasonable prices. read more

Amazing winery! I had a private tasting with Laura and our meetup group last night and everything was just perfect! Laura had a wonderful cheese tray ready for us and then was kind enough to take the tasting outside to the picnic table where we were able to watch the sunset over the vineyard and hills. The wine is wonderful. This winery was unknown to me before, but it will be highly recommended from now on! read more

The Keenan wines are delicious and Laura is the perfect host. I sell top-drawer Cabernet in Napa Valley from inside a wine barn (literally), shocking and delighting Napa Valley visitors who have come to expect wine shrines and Barbie doll hosts. When my customers ask for another great place to visit where the wine is delicious and the experience authentic and hospitable; I send them to Keenan. For those convinced that all Napa Valley has to offer is traffic jams, overpriced wines, stuck up winery employees, and fakery, all they need do is book a visit to Keenan to find out just how wrong they are. Highly recommended. read more

Our second visit to Keenan in 5 years and we could not have been happier. Laura - having worked at the winery for over 20 years - gave us such a great experience. In simple terms, Keenan makes some of the best wine you'll find anywhere in the Napa area at a price point that would make most other Napa wineries blush. How is that possible? As Laura pointed out, they paid $500k for their property in the early 70s and they don't have the overheads of many of the other wineries. They pass those savings on to you and you get incredible wine - how about that for a deal! We don't have the kind of money to spank on $100+ bottles of cab and we're much happier in the $20-$50 price range. We walked away with 2 cases from this winery. Enough said. read more

If you want wine that lives in a castle, then Keenan is probably not for you. If you on the other hand want very good wine at a great price in a super chill place then perhaps Keenan is the place for you. If you like super pretentious hosts then you probably want to go to where wine lives in castles. If on the other hand you like your hosts like Sherry, who is not afraid to tell you about their super chill dog and how he used to have mange, and about how she studied bugs, then maybe, just maybe Keenan is your spot. It was ours, we joined the wine club. (April 2012 visit) read more

We had a nice little stop here on our way back down the mountain from Pride. I like the fact that this is a small family kind of winery and really friendly. The wine was very good and of course we left with a couple of bottles. The cheese plate was a nice touch and a very welcome addition to my wine tastes. The dog "Scrappy" was really cute. Every nice little winery needs a great dog! read more

Very charming little spot. If you like merlots, this is a great option. There are so many amazing places along Spring Mountain Road. This is a good one, though there are also others. This is worth adding to the itinerary. When I went last year in the fall, they were about to re-do their tasting room and I can't wait to see it. read more

I've always loved this place... Great wine & people. The new tasting room is gorgeous. Beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Cab, Syrah & Merlot were our favs. Came home with a little of each. read more

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We had a very enjoyable experience at Keenan. I love the wine here and our hostess was very friendly. We didn't spend a lot of time here but we did buy wine (delicious!). Came home with the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. read more

This is our favorite winery in Napa. Excellent wine and service, beautiful location- worth the intense ride up Spring Mountain. Thanks for the great experience Amy!!! KC girls read more

Robert Keenan Winery - Wineries Near Me - St. Helena, California