Jeffrey Keene, formerly of Knights Bridge Winery, has joined Robert Mondavi Winery as Senior Winemaker. Keene will help oversee production of Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve, To Kalon, Napa Valley, and Oakville wines at the Oakville winery. He comes with vast experience making wine in Napa Valley, as well as outside California.
After earning a degree in Chemistry from the Auckland Institute of Technology (NZ) and postgraduate Diploma with Distinction in Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University (NZ), Keene worked in several winemaking positions in New Zealand before moving to Napa Valley. He has served as production winemaker for Heitz Wine Cellars, winemaker for Cornerstone Cellars and Havens Wine Cellars in Napa Valley and at Pamplin Family Winery in Oregon. Jeff joins a winemaking team that includes Chief Winemaker Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking Nova Cadamatre, MW, Winemaker Kurtis Ogasawara and Assistant Winemaker Lauren Oliver.
About Robert Mondavi Winery
Founded in 1966 by winemaking pioneer and icon Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Winery is an enduring symbol of California’s Napa Valley. The first major winery built in Napa Valley following the repeal of Prohibition, Robert Mondavi Winery created the foundation for the modern-day California wine industry. An ardent believer that wines should reflect their origins, Mr. Mondavi charted a winemaking course that is now legendary. Today, Robert Mondavi Winery continues to pursue the fullest expression of the terroir of Napa Valley in wines that are also varietally authentic. At the heart and soul of the Robert Mondavi Winery is To Kalon Vineyard, a 440-acre parcel of exceptional provenance that contributes to the winery’s Napa Valley, Oakville District, Reserve, and To Kalon Vineyard-designated wine programs.
