Matt Gardner Biography from Keenan Winery

Matt Gardner graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Ag Business and Fruit Science in

the spring of 1994, and worked his first grape harvest later that fall at a small family-­­owned winery in

the Santa Cruz Mountains. He was offered a position at Keenan Winery in December of 1994, and spent

the next two decades learning about the unique advantages and challenges associated with growing

premium grapes and making wine on Spring Mountain. Today, Matt‘s expert knowledge of the region’s

terroir is indispensable to the ongoing success of Keenan Napa Valley Wines.

During his early tenure at the winery, Matt was instrumental in working with Michael Keenan to replant

the majority of the estate vineyards established in the 1970s. Although he admits it was a painful

process, he supported Michael’s decision to remove diseased grapevines, replacing them with new,

more appropriate rootstock, applying soil conservation techniques such as legume and grass cover

crops, row orientation, and efficient irrigation. Today, all 48 acres of the Keenan estate Napa Valley

Vineyard have been replanted, and as Matt explains, “We’re managing the hillside in a healthier way

now, picking when the grapes are a little more ripe—and the superior quality of the fruit translates into

more naturally produced wines. We take a ‘hands-­­off’ approach and allow the flavor of the fruit to

shine through.”

Matt works directly with owner Michael Keenan and cellar master Randy Kewell as part of the

winemaking team effort at Keenan Winery. He shares in harvest duties such as grape sampling and

essential lab work, collaborates with Michael on picking decisions each harvest, and also participates in

crucial blending trials. Matt is also the first contact at the winery for small group of well-­­respected

grape growers supplying premium fruit for the superb Keenan wines produced from prime wine

vineyards throughout Wineries in Napa Valley.

As general manager, Matt is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of Keenan Winery,

including administrative, sales and distributor contact, managing vineyard operations, cellar and

winemaking logistics, inventory control, budgeting and finance. He is also responsible for managing the

popular Keenan Wine Club and working with hospitality manager Laura March on exclusive offerings to

wine club members.

Matt is married and lives on the Keenan Spring Mountain estate (very short commute!) with his wife,

Shari. They have two children; daughter, Maddie, and son, Ben. When Matt’s not hard at work managing

Keenan winery in Napa Valley, he and his family enjoy fishing in the Sierras and spending time on the

scenic Sonoma-­­Mendocino coastline.