A note from Nicholas Keeler, winemaker

Often there was wine at the family table. My great-grandfather was a wine merchant in Germany, and when I was young, my parents were found of German Riesling and Eiswein. One of my favorite memories was having a taste during the holidays.

I was born in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Oregon State University with two Bachelor of arts degrees; one in International Business, the other in International Studies, and a minor in Spanish. During my studies in Barcelona, I studied art and the works of Dali, El Greco, Velazquez, Picasso, and Gaudi. A year later, I found myself in Oaxaca, Mexico learning about Zapotec and Mayan art and savoring the bounties of the open-air markets. Always fond of travel, food, and art, my adventures further introduced me to the world of wine. 

When I moved back to Oregon, I met Felix Madrid, the winemaker at Carlo & Julian, who was kind enough to help me make my first wines. I began as a Garagiste winemaker and was inspired to learn more. I enrolled in UC Davis classes, passed my first sommelier exam, and worked various harvests with talented winemakers.

Thanks to a trusted recommendation from my friend, Rick DeFerrari of Oregon Barrel Works, I met Jacky Allary, owner and master cooper of Tonnellerie Allary, and his commercial director, Michel Simonnet, and they offered me the opportunity to represent their esteemed cooperage in North America. With over 15 years of experience as the North American sales director for one of France’s elite barrel makers, Tonnellerie Allary, I have visited historic French forests and tasted in famous cellars worldwide, acquiring expert knowledge of French oak cooperage, forests, seasoning, fermentation, aging and many aspects of winemaking. I pour all of this valuable experience into my winemaking today. 

With a deft touch, I create the Authentique wines in rotary large format, upright oak tanks, stainless steel, Italian amphorae, and concrete with a combination of whole cluster and carefully de-stemmed fruit to add layers and complexity. Spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts are common, and wines are carefully racked often by gravity into my favorite tight-grain French oak barrels from unique forest provenances for a long diligently managed élevage. 

I want to thank everyone who has supported me in living this winemaking dream. Through my wines’ quality, soul, and energy, I strive to honor and reflect my gratitude to all who enjoy the wines of Authenitque. 

Big hug,

Nicholas