Keith Kenison, 14 Hands Winemaker

It is fitting that Keith Kenison is winemaker for 14 Hands Winery. His philosophy is that winemaking is a hands-on process; desk winemaking "by the numbers" just isn’t good enough for him. Born and raised in a small farming community in Oregon, Keith attended Eastern Oregon University and graduated in 1990 with a degree in Psychology. Now, he laughingly uses this education to keep himself sane during the long hours of harvest.

His interest in winemaking brought him to Washington, where in 1992 he joined Ste. Michelle Wine Estates facility in Grandview as a cellar worker, learning the art of winemaking literally from the ground up. In 1997 he moved to Columbia Crest, and was promoted first as a quality assurance technician, then as an enologist. His talents were quickly recognized, and he was promoted to assistant winemaker in 2002.

Keith’s hands-on experience allowed him to have a role in making red, white and sparkling wines. He firmly believes that wine should express the fruit and place from which they came. In making 14 Hands wine he strives to pull out the distinct fruit characteristics unique to the Horse Heaven Hills. Continually walking the vineyards and tasting fruit, Keith hand crafts soft reds and fresh, crisp whites that capture the essence of the Horse Heaven Hills.

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