March 28, 2024

Eugenia Keegan of Gran Moraine

Episode #412 – You’ll Go Insane for Gran Moraine!

Meet Willamette Valley Winemaking Legend Eugenia Keegan of Gran Moraine

The Oregon wine odyssey continues from the Willamette Valley. In this episode, David visits Gran Moraine which is one of several brands owned and operated by Kendall-Jackson. Today’s special guest is winemaker and General Manager Eugenia Keegan who is truly a legend in the region. The winery was started from the ground up and is truly a special spot. Eugenia is now in her 19th year in Oregon wine country. Her resume spans 40 years and she was one of the very first female winemakers in the country. Like so many world class winemakers, her career began in California until a chance romance led her to Oregon in 2003. Eugenia has held many top positions during her four-plus decades in the wine business. She began her career with Joseph Swan Vineyards as a cellar/vineyard worker in 1976. That experience led her to numerous opportunities, including cellar intern positions in Burgundy at both the prestigious producer Pousse d’Or in Volnay and Etienne Sauzet in Puligny-Montrachet. Most significantly she took the position of Business Manager at Bouchaine Vineyards in Napa, California in 1982 during the early days of the winery’s start-up. She was later promoted to President and CEO. In January of 1996, she accepted the position of President at Vine Cliff Winery in Napa.

The planting of Gran Moraine was completed in 2005 and, in less than a dozen years, it became recognized as a leader in the production of world-class pinots grown from Dijon clones. If there was ever a more delightful and witty winemaker than Eugenia, we haven’t found him or her yet. But don’t take our word for it, just kick back and have a listen to one of our most delightful wine broadcasts!

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