Our Team
Keith Emerson - Director of Winemaking
Keith Emerson joined Vineyard 29 as Director of Winemaking in 2005 charged with managing and directing the production of Vineyard 29’s portfolio, including sister labels Aida and CRU. As director of winemaking, Emerson oversees all wine programs for Vineyard 29’s ultra-premium custom crush clientele as well. The opportunity to interact with Napa Valley’s esteemed growers and winemakers has been an integral part of his professional development. With over 10 years of winemaking and vineyard experience, Emerson’s leadership, can-do attitude and organizational skills have earned him the respect of his peers. Emerson manages wine production for prestigious producers including Gemstone, Metisse, Dancing Hares and Husic among others.
Emerson obtained his Enology and Viticulture degree from the University of California at Davis in 1999. After a year at Cakebread Cellars, he accepted an enologist position with Sonoma’s historical Gundlach Bundschu winery. Emerson quickly excelled to assistant winemaker, soon after was named associate winemaker and became solely responsible for Gundlach Bundschu’s second label, Block 13. The Block 13 program enabled Emerson to cultivate his own personal style of wine and gave him valuable experience in developing a wine brand from the ground up.
In March 2004, Emerson traveled to Martinborough, New Zealand to work for Palliser Estate Wines. For him, the experience of working a vintage in the southern hemisphere was remarkable. In 2005 Emerson continued to raise the bar when he and a colleague began work on their very own label, Emerson Brown. Please visit the website at EmersonBrownWines.com.
In August of 2006, a friend and CEO of Robert Craig Winery called upon Emerson to consult for the Howell Mountain producer. Today, with the support of Chuck McMinn, Emerson continues to be instrumental in significantly improving wine quality for Robert Craig.
In July 2008, Emerson was approached by Rutherford Bench LLC to oversee the production of the company’s portfolio of wines including the Howell Mountain Vineyards label, as well as a new, high-end Rutherford project, not yet named.
Emerson and his family reside in Napa, CA.
