Tucked away in the rolling hills of Los Carneros, Napa Valley, McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards & Winery has quietly built a legacy of authenticity, resilience, and craftsmanship since its founding in 1989. This family-owned and operated estate is rooted in tradition and guided by a deep respect for the land, producing old world-inspired wines with a distinctly Napa Valley character.

The estate's unique location—marked by cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay and heavy clay soils—offers ideal conditions for growing both Bordeaux varietals and classic Burgundian grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From the beginning, the McKenzie-Mueller philosophy has been to let the vineyard speak. All wines are unfiltered, thoughtfully made to age, and crafted to shine when paired with food and shared in good company.

At the heart of the winery is Bob Mueller, founder and third-generation farmer. With over 40 years of winemaking experience in the Napa Valley—including his time as Director of Enology at Robert Mondavi and as part of the original Opus One team—Bob brings unmatched expertise and intuition to every vintage. His dedication to cooler climate regions like Los Carneros and Oak Knoll is reflected in the finesse and complexity of the wines. Beyond the cellar, Bob’s commitment to the land is evident in his role as a founding member of the Los Carneros Water District, which brought critical infrastructure to local growers.

Karen McKenzie Mueller, co-founder and CFO, brings her creative spirit and community roots to the winery. Raised in Monticello, the former Napa County town relocated to form Lake Berryessa, Karen channeled her artistic background into a longtime career as a ceramics and photography teacher at Napa High School. While shaping young minds in the classroom, she also helped shape the business side of McKenzie-Mueller—balancing budgets, supporting winery operations, and serving as Bob’s most trusted wine taster and advisor.

Together with their family, the Muellers tend every vine and oversee every drop of wine, driven by a shared passion and a hands-on approach. McKenzie-Mueller wines are an honest reflection of time, place, and people—crafted not for trends, but for the table, the cellar, and generations to come.

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