Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
Keeler Estate Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Craig Keeler, Gabriele Keeler |
| Web site | www.keelerestatevineyard.com |
| Link to this site |
Located on Rice Lane east of the town of Amity, Keeler Estate began as an overgrown 200-acre farm bought by the Keelers in 1989. Gradually and methodically, vineyards were planted and farmed biodynamically. The vineyard is Demeter Biodynamic certified, as well as possessing LIVE, Stellar Organic and Salmon-Safe designations. The 30 planted acres include Pinot Noir clones 667, 777, 115, 943, Pommard 4 and 5, and Wädenswil. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling are also planted.
The winemaker is Darcy Pendergrass who is the winemaker at nearby Amity Vineyards. Estate Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Gris Reserve and Chardonnay are offered. Production is less than 1,000 cases under the Keeler label. Most of the grapes are sold to Montinore.
Contact the winery's website to purchase wine. The winery's tasting room is open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m..
Articles About Keeler Estate Vineyard
Notable Pinot Noir Producers First Met With in 2015 (10.23 12/27/2015)
Recent Tasting of 2016, 2017 & 2018 Willamette Valley Chardonnay (11.47 7/7/2019)
Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.20 11/5/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.24 1/17/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
Reviewed Wines
2016 Keeler Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.58, 237 cases, $38.
Released April 29, 2018. Made with biodynamic grapes. Dijon 943, 667, 115, 777 and Pommard. Harvest Brix
23.8º. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 17% new and 83% neutral. After 10 months, 3 neutral barrels of
Dijon 115 were moved to a concrete egg vessel to finish for 8 months.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the
glass. The aromas and flavors come more alive over time in the glass. The nose offers scents of cherry, spice
and fertile earth with some oak embellishment. A gentle, lighter weighted wine driven by red fruits and
companion oak with silky tannins. There is a slight underlying creosote/ash flavor that does not appeal to me.
Score: 88.
Reviewed July 8, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Chardonnay
12.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.54, 128 cases, $40. Released
October 20, 2018. Dijon clones 96 and 76 (biodynamic). Harvest Brix
20.4º. Aged 14 months on the lees in 75% French oak barrels, 30%
new and 25% in stainless steel.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in
the glass. Delightful aromas of lemon oil, butter, baked yellow apple
and pineapple on the grill. Effusive flavors of ripe pear, pineapple,
yellow apple and banana. Oily in texture with a ripe fruited finish. Not
an acid-driven style, but still has good spirit.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 8, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Keeler Craig’s Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.535,
75 cases, $55. Released October 20, 2018. Made with biodynamic grapes. A three barrel blend of Pommard,
115 (30% whole cluster) and 667. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 67% 2-year-old and 33% neutral.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of cherry and friendly oak. Very similar to
the regular 2016 bottling, but with more extraction and finish. Polished and silky in the mouth, featuring red
cherry and berry flavors and a modicum of oak in the background. No creosote note in this wine.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 8, 2019
ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.45,
TA 0.60, RS < .2g/L, 156 cases, $28. Released June 2015. Whole cluster pressed, aged 8 months on lees in
65% once-filled French oak barrels and 35% stainless steel. Tartaric acid addition.
·
Light golden yellow color in
the glass. Aromas and flavors of crisp apple, pear, pastry cream and brioche. Very satisfying, with bright acidity
and a pleasing apple-driven finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed November 6, 2015
ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.64, 143 cases,
$38. Not yet released. Made from Keeler Estate Vineyard organically grown grapes. 45.25% Wädenswil, 36.5%
Pommard, 18.25% 115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 73% neutral and 27% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of wild berries, mulch, earth and a hint of pungent volatile
acidity. Ripely fruited, with flavors of black grape, boysenberry and dark chocolate. Well proportioned tannins
and a modestly intense, sweet berry finish.
Score: 87.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Estate Vineyard Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.59,
196 cases, $48. Released to wine club members, not released to public yet. Made from organically grown
grapes. 67.75% Pommard, 35.75% 115, 2.5% Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in French oak
barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The fruit pushes the ripeness envelope, but
never finds over ripeness. Aromas of dark berry preserves lead to a rich and luscious assortment of purple and
black fruits that saturate the palate in waves. The wine becomes more expressive over time in the glass,
offering a sterling balance between fruit fatness and structured tannins, finishing with an explosion of sweet
boysenberry goodness. Enjoyable now, but this wine will benefit from another few years in the cellar.
Score: 91.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Chardonnay
12.8% alc., pH 3.80, TA 0.53, 74
cases, $28. Released December 2015. Made from organically grown grapes. Clones 96, 95, 76 and 44. Whole
cluster pressed, aged 10 months on the lees in 62% once-filled French oak barrels and 38% new.
·
Moderately
light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon-lime, peach skin, Vegemite, sea breeze and
floral bouquet lead to a citrus-driven wine with a hint of peach and green herbs. The wine displays nice polish,
although the fruit seems under ripe.
Score: 87.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, 191 cases,
$38. Released September 2015. Harvest Brix 21.7º-22.2º. Pommard,
115 and Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed. Aged in 100% French oak
barrels, 28% new. Unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass.
Delightful aromatic array including plum, black cherry, dried herbs, spice,
rose petal and cedary oak. A discreetly concentrated styled wine in this
vintage, with mid weight plus flavors of black cherry and black raspberry,
embellished with savory dried herbs and a woody note. Nicely composed
with corralled tannins and some finishing length.
Score: 90.
Reviewed November 6, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Estate Vineyard Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.54, 55
cases, $48. Released June 2015. Made from organically grown grapes. 60% Pommard, 40% 115. Aged 10
months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of
cherry, strawberry, spice, rose petal and smoke. Light to mid weight core of juicy strawberry and cherry fruits
with a dusting of oak. Silky on the palate, with fine grain tannins, and noteworthy length on the finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2016 Keeler Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.58, 237 cases, $38. Released April 29, 2018. Made with biodynamic grapes. Dijon 943, 667, 115, 777 and Pommard. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 17% new and 83% neutral. After 10 months, 3 neutral barrels of Dijon 115 were moved to a concrete egg vessel to finish for 8 months. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The aromas and flavors come more alive over time in the glass. The nose offers scents of cherry, spice and fertile earth with some oak embellishment. A gentle, lighter weighted wine driven by red fruits and companion oak with silky tannins. There is a slight underlying creosote/ash flavor that does not appeal to me. Score: 88. Reviewed July 8, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Chardonnay
12.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.54, 128 cases, $40. Released October 20, 2018. Dijon clones 96 and 76 (biodynamic). Harvest Brix 20.4º. Aged 14 months on the lees in 75% French oak barrels, 30% new and 25% in stainless steel. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Delightful aromas of lemon oil, butter, baked yellow apple and pineapple on the grill. Effusive flavors of ripe pear, pineapple, yellow apple and banana. Oily in texture with a ripe fruited finish. Not an acid-driven style, but still has good spirit. Score: 92. Reviewed July 8, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Keeler Craig’s Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.535, 75 cases, $55. Released October 20, 2018. Made with biodynamic grapes. A three barrel blend of Pommard, 115 (30% whole cluster) and 667. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 67% 2-year-old and 33% neutral. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of cherry and friendly oak. Very similar to the regular 2016 bottling, but with more extraction and finish. Polished and silky in the mouth, featuring red cherry and berry flavors and a modicum of oak in the background. No creosote note in this wine. Score: 92. Reviewed July 8, 2019 ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.60, RS < .2g/L, 156 cases, $28. Released June 2015. Whole cluster pressed, aged 8 months on lees in 65% once-filled French oak barrels and 35% stainless steel. Tartaric acid addition. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of crisp apple, pear, pastry cream and brioche. Very satisfying, with bright acidity and a pleasing apple-driven finish. Score: 90. Reviewed November 6, 2015 ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.64, 143 cases, $38. Not yet released. Made from Keeler Estate Vineyard organically grown grapes. 45.25% Wädenswil, 36.5% Pommard, 18.25% 115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 73% neutral and 27% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of wild berries, mulch, earth and a hint of pungent volatile acidity. Ripely fruited, with flavors of black grape, boysenberry and dark chocolate. Well proportioned tannins and a modestly intense, sweet berry finish. Score: 87. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Keeler Estate Vineyard Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.59, 196 cases, $48. Released to wine club members, not released to public yet. Made from organically grown grapes. 67.75% Pommard, 35.75% 115, 2.5% Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The fruit pushes the ripeness envelope, but never finds over ripeness. Aromas of dark berry preserves lead to a rich and luscious assortment of purple and black fruits that saturate the palate in waves. The wine becomes more expressive over time in the glass, offering a sterling balance between fruit fatness and structured tannins, finishing with an explosion of sweet boysenberry goodness. Enjoyable now, but this wine will benefit from another few years in the cellar. Score: 91. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Chardonnay
12.8% alc., pH 3.80, TA 0.53, 74 cases, $28. Released December 2015. Made from organically grown grapes. Clones 96, 95, 76 and 44. Whole cluster pressed, aged 10 months on the lees in 62% once-filled French oak barrels and 38% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon-lime, peach skin, Vegemite, sea breeze and floral bouquet lead to a citrus-driven wine with a hint of peach and green herbs. The wine displays nice polish, although the fruit seems under ripe. Score: 87. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Keeler Estate Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, 191 cases, $38. Released September 2015. Harvest Brix 21.7º-22.2º. Pommard, 115 and Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 28% new. Unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Delightful aromatic array including plum, black cherry, dried herbs, spice, rose petal and cedary oak. A discreetly concentrated styled wine in this vintage, with mid weight plus flavors of black cherry and black raspberry, embellished with savory dried herbs and a woody note. Nicely composed with corralled tannins and some finishing length. Score: 90. Reviewed November 6, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Keeler Estate Vineyard Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.54, 55 cases, $48. Released June 2015. Made from organically grown grapes. 60% Pommard, 40% 115. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of cherry, strawberry, spice, rose petal and smoke. Light to mid weight core of juicy strawberry and cherry fruits with a dusting of oak. Silky on the palate, with fine grain tannins, and noteworthy length on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »