We dedicate ourselves to capture the true essence of vineyard and terroir in our wines
Our focus is Single vineyard designate Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Stewards of the land, we work with Tilth Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certified grapes. We also seek out historic own rooted, old vine vineyards. When you taste Authentique you experience the energy of a passion, a time and a place. Each and every vintage our wines are made with intent and great care in everything we do.
A note from Nicholas Keeler, winemaker
Born in Portland and growing up in the small city of Sherwood, little things make me feel like home; mountain passes lined with snow covered firs, the cold Pacific Ocean on my feet, foraging for chanterelles and time spent meandering through the Willamette Valley tasting with friends.
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 fond of German Riesling and Eiswein. One of my favorite memories during the holidays as a young boy was enjoying a little taste.
I 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. Durning my studies I went to university in Barcelona where I was enchanted by the works of Dali, El Greco, Velazquez, Picasso and Gaudi. A year later I found myself in Oaxaca, Mexico studying Zapotec and Mayan art, savoring the bounty of the open air markets where numerous cultures gathered to sell their goods. Always fond of people, travel, food and art, my adventures further introduced me to the world of wine.
When I moved back to Oregon I would spend holiday weekends in the Willamette Valley tasting with friends. Around this time I met Felix Madrid, winemaker at Carlo & Julian, who was kind enough to show me how to make my first wines in my parent’s garage. I began as a true Garagiste winemaker and inspired to do more I continued to learn about wine through UC Davis classes, passed my first sommelier exam and worked many harvests with talented winemakers. Thanks to a trusted recommendation from a friend, Rick DeFerrari of Oregon Barrel Works, I was presented with an opportunity to learn about French cooperage. Jacky Allary, owner and master cooper of Tonnellerie Allary and his commercial director, Michel Simonnet visited Oregon and tasted wines with me in 2005. Fortune favored me that day and Jacky offered me an opportunity to represent his esteemed cooperage in the US. The Allary family founded their cooperage in 1953 and have three generations of French barrel making savior-faire.
With over 14 years 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. Tasting highlights include; Jean-Marc Roulot, Thibaud Liger-Belair, Antoine Olivier, Diana Seysses, Christian Moreau, Roberto Conterno, Luisa Rocca, Fabrizio Benedetti (thank you, Gian Maria Barosio) Cheval Blanc, Leoville Poyferre, Beausejour Becot, Chateau Kirwan (thank you, Michel Simonnet) and Alberto Rubio of Vino Fluxus in Mexico. In the US there are far too many talented winemakers and friends to list who have all helped shape my intuitive winemaking.
With a deft touch, I create the Authentique wines in rotary large format, upright oak cuve, stainless steel tank, Italian amphorae and concrete with a combination of whole cluster and carefully de-stemmed fruit to add layers and complexity. Elevage is made with extra tight grain French oak barrels from unique forest provenance which preserve the fresh aspect of the wines and respect vineyard nuance, one of the great signatures of Authentique.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years to live this dream. You are my friends, family, teachers, colleagues, clients and peers. Special thanks goes out to Julian Ranz, Jason Merck, Jordan Taylor, Felix Madrid, Ben Casteel (winemaker at Bethel Heights who has gracefully shared his valuable expertise with me) the talented Mr. Geoffrey Cecil who creates my labels and graphic design and my rock star assistant winemaker Jose Arguelles who has diligently worked by my side countless hours. Through the quality and energy of my wines I strive to honor and reflect my gratitude to you all.
Un abrazo fuerte,
Nicholas Keeler
The Keeler Family
You’ll find matriarch of the family, Gabriele, managing the Keeler Estate Tasting Room. From Germany, she grew up with wine being ever present. Nicholas’s great grandfather, Johannes, was a wine merchant who traveled often throughout Europe sourcing fine wines.
Father of the family, Craig Keeler has been involved in international business his entire career. He is capable of building just about anything and has a passion for his biodynamic vineyard, Keeler Estate Vineyard. A true family business, Craig recently constructed a beautiful new winery on the family estate where Nicholas makes AWC wines.
No detail missed, within the label designs you’ll discover images honoring the Keeler family, and Winemaker Nicholas Keeler’s birthplace, the AWC region and elements influenced by some of his most beloved artists.
