A note from Nicholas Keeler, Winemaker

My earliest memories of wine were formed around the family table in Oregon, though the roots trace further back. My great-grandfather was a wine merchant in Germany, and our household was filled with Riesling, Eiswein, and the stories they carried. These early experiences, coupled with a deep curiosity for art and culture, led me down a path as layered as the wines I now strive to create.

With academic foundations in International Business and Spanish, I later studied in Barcelona, where Dalí and Gaudí shaped my understanding of surreal beauty — a quality I now recognize in great wine. In Oaxaca, I immersed myself in indigenous art and the honest luxury of open-air markets. These cultural moments refined my instinct for authenticity.

Returning to Oregon, I fell in love with the art of winemaking. From humble beginnings as a garagiste winemaker, I pursued deeper knowledge through sommelier studies, coursework at UC Davis, and harvests alongside some of the region’s most respected vintners. This period gave me fluency in both the technical and intuitive dimensions of wine.

A pivotal chapter began when I was introduced to Jacky Allary and Michel Simonnet of Tonnellerie Allary, one of France’s most esteemed cooperages. As North American Sales Director, I was granted access to cellars throughout Europe, the United States, and Mexico. These tastings became a masterclass in the dialogue between oak, wine, and time.

Authentique is the convergence of these experiences.

From organically and Biodynamic®-certified vineyards — including the estate my family planted — and a curated selection of Oregon’s most expressive sites, I craft small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that embody quiet intensity, textural precision, and a transparent reflection of terroir.

Whole cluster and de-stemmed whole berry fermentations, spontaneous native yeast activity, thoughtful élevage, and a diligent approach in the cellar allow the vineyards to speak with clarity and without excess.

The resulting wines are intellectual yet soulful, layered, pure, and energetic. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the balance and energy to reward both immediate drinking and long-term cellaring.

To those who import, pour, cellar, collect, or simply share these bottles — thank you. It is an honor to craft wines that resonate across borders and tables. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this journey and feel the momentum of something meaningful continuing to unfold.

Warm regards,

N Keeler, Vintner