After extensive work and study within the wine and agricultural industry, Keith was armed with the knowledge that careful vineyard selection was imperative to producing high quality wines. Hentley Farm's founders Keith and Alison Hentschke undertook extensive research from local winemakers and soil scientists. Their aim was to find out where the best red wine grapes were believed to be produced in the Barossa Valley. Their research pointed them towards the red brown soils in Western Barossa. The quality of red wines already being made in the area confirmed the selection of Seppeltsfield as their preferred area.

In the 1990s, Keith used an old 1950s soil map of the region to strategically locate parcels of land. After a number of years of research, he finally acquired Hentley Farm; an old 100 acre vineyard and mixed farming property on the banks of Greenock Creek in Seppeltsfield. Beginning with plantings in 1997, then another major planting in 1999, Keith took a thorough farming approach with the view that getting things right in the vineyard was the essential first step before he could even consider making wine. In the early 2000s, the estate was extended with the purchase of the neighbouring Clos Otto block..

Since the first release of wine in 2002, the strength of the Hentley Farm brand and appeal to consumers and industry experts alike has surprised even Keith.

The Hentschke Roots

The Hentschke family ancestors first settled in the Barossa Valley in 1842 and their decendants remained in the area for many generations. Keith, on the other hand grew up on a large farm at Lameroo in the South Australian Mallee. He studied Agricultural Science and Wine Marketing at Roseworthy College and at graduation was awarded the coveted Gramp Hardy Smith Memorial Prize for the college's most outstanding student.

Following Roseworthy, Keith took a role with Elders and then followed his heart into the wine industry. He took a senior production role at Orlando Wyndham before moving into Chief Operating Officer roles at Fabel, a vineyard management company, and then Nepenthe.