What's NewGet the very latest news. Behind the scenes stories, special offers, new release announcements and seasonal updates. You can stay informed and involved with our small family winery.
Whether it’s a new crusher, a wet spring or an awesome new Syrah, you’ll hear it here first. Check back often.
HistoryNow starting it’s fourth decade, Kathryn Kennedy Winery has a unique history. Founded by Kathryn in 1973 it exists today as a result of the strong will and tireless effort of this pioneering women.
The Estate Vineyard in Saratoga represents a continuum of the world renown agricultural heritage of this part of California. Please learn more about the labor of love she developed around this special piece of land.
SustainabilityGrowers of all kinds are re-discovering the benefits of sustainable agriculture. We are proud to embrace this trend in the California wine industry. Extra effort and genuine concern for the stewardship of our land, have led us to adopt these natural practices.
Energy efficiency, organic viticulture, recycling and social consciousness all come into play. Get the real scoop here.
ViticultureMost experts agree wine quality comes from the vineyard. Our grapes receive as much love and care as any in the world.
Here you can learn more about the complex life cycle and specific methods as practiced at our Estate Vineyard.
What’s a cluster primordia? You’ll find out in this thorough discussion.
WinemakingSmall scale winemaking takes on an artisan quality, not at all an industrial product it’s closer to fine food or art.
Here we offer a long and detailed description of the great expense and honest pride of workmanship it takes to make fine wine. You’ll get a glimpse of the purist standards of our winemaker Marty Mathis.
Yeast, fermentation, barrels it’s all here, so come in the cellar and see.
Bottle AgingDo you know if you like the taste of very old wine?
Read about the science of aging and get advice on cellaring wine. This is one man’s option about wine types and aging.
Storage conditions, maturity levels, decanting and service tips.
StaffOur family is honored to be joined by a staff of committed employees. These are the folks that make it their daily mission to bring you truly great wine.
Together they tend vines, make wine, bottle, pack, manage the company and serve you.
Come see the faces behind of Kathryn Kennedy Winery.
Tasting & TouringThe winery is closed to all visitors.
We can however help you find other great stops during your travels to the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Located south of San Francisco and west of Silicon Valley, this area has a long history of wine growing as well as stunning natural beauty.
Pick up advice about other wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants, state parks, and towns.
RecipesMany of our friends are chefs, others are foodies. Nothing is more enjoyable than great food and wine. Matching flavors and styles is an exciting pursuit.
Kathryn Kennedy’s wines are particularly styled to come to their fullest expression when accompanying a fine meal.
We’ve selected a few of our friends recipes for you to try.
Photo GalleryWorth a thousand words, photographs can tell so much. A cool fog, a hot and tired vine, a happy dog.
We’ve assembled some of our most memorable shots, most of which were taken by family members.
Get a real glimpse of the hurried tempo of harvest, the character of our people or the quiet beauty of our Estate Vineyard.
Contact InformationMailing address only (no visitors, please)
Kathryn Kennedy Winery
13180 Pierce Road
Saratoga, California 95070-4212
Winery office: 408.867.4170
Winery Fax: 408.867.9463
Sales manager: 408.569.8216
President & Winegrower,
Marty Mathis: 408.230.0392
Emaii:cabernet@KathrynKennedyWinery.com
How to Become a Kathryn Kennedy Winery Trade AccountIf you are a trade member such as a restaurant or wine shop, we welcome your interest. Here we have an easy way for you to become one of our select accounts.
We’re ready to make the contacts and get the ball rolling, so you can offer you customers the pleasure of our hard to find wines. Let’s do business.
Wholesale Trade AccessThank you for working with us. We appreciate your support. Here’s a slick new way to access information and files to help you educate your sales staff and sell more Kathryn Kennedy wines.
Downloadable PDF files like release notices, price lists, POS and winemaker tech sheets are all ready to print in your office.
FOB Distributor AccessThank you for representing Kathryn Kennedy Winery. Without your company we wouldn’t have access to the markets of your region. We made this part of the website to help you sell our labels more efficiently.
You’ll get downloadable PDF files to disseminate to your sales force.
Here’s also where you’ll find the email address for direct contact with our “out of state” sales staff.
Awards & Media QuotesKathryn Kennedy’s Cabernets have quickly become recognized as one of the “premier crus” of California.
They have amassed a long list of recognition and awards. Here’s what one expert says:
Matt Kramer - “...it is immensely concentrated, dense, and reminiscent of Chateau Latour in its massiveness. It is classic Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet.” from Making Sense of California Wine
Events CalendarAlthough our winery is strictly closed to visitors, we do pour at several off site charity events throughout the year. On rare occasion we appear at a national scale venue, more likely we frequent the local tasting sponsored by the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers.
In addition, Sales Director Eric Fountain often conducts wine dinners at some of the Bay Area’s finest restaurants. Please see our detailed events listing.
Estate CabernetThis the signature flagship wine made from vines planted by Kathryn in 1973. Eight acres of vines cover gentle slopes in Saratoga, California on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Excellent soil, a climate possessing just the right amount of marine influence and intense personal attention combine to yield outstanding grapes.
The result is world class Cabernet with a decade or more of aging potential. This is the top end wine you’ve been seeking. Find out more about our current offerings of Estate Cabernet.
Small Lot CabernetOur knowledge of the Santa Cruz Mountains allowed us to access grapes from superior small vineyards. In the hands of a seasoned Cabernet specialist like Marty Mathis, the results are awesome. This wine is made from several small lots sourced in the local appellation, not from our Estate vines.
Warmer growing conditions on the inland side of the coast range have proven to yield superb Cabernet.
Look a bit further to discover the secret of our Small Lot Cabernet.
Reserve SyrahThis reserve quality wine is our only bottling to carry a vineyard designation. We are proud to offer this fine Santa Cruz Mountain Syrah from the Maridon Vineyard.
In a short period of time Charlie Maridon’s four acre hillside vineyard has achieved a reputation as being one of the very best sources of Syrah in California.
SyrahThis is our Santa Cruz Mountain Syrah made by combining grapes from four local vineyards The production on this wine was extremely small, totalling about 25 barrels.
Styled along the lines of a cool climate Syrah, this wine will charm you with its bright ripe fruit and pleasing mouth feel. It fits the bill with a variety of foods and displays true varietal Syrah character.
I know you’ll enjoy it thoroughly.
LateralThis is our most popular label. Made by blending Merlot and Cabernet Franc with smaller proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot ala the great wines of St. Emilion Bordeaux.
We use multiple vineyards up and down coastal California to make a very friendly and complex blend.
Super easy to like, and unique in California, Lateral is a sure hit.
Don’t hesitate, find out more.
Sauvignon BlancOur small winery has become known for its hand-made Bordeaux style wines including estate Cabernet and Lateral.
So it seems logical for our only white wine to be Sauvignon Blanc. We crafted it by combining grapes grown in Sonoma and Monterey Counties. Each vineyard was selected for its cool climate location and exceptional viticultural care.
In order to achieve a clean “non oaked” style, we naturally chose to carry out the fermentation in stainless steel at cool temperatures.
Older Vintages & SpecialsWhether it’s an older vintage Estate Cabernet from our library or a rare Estate Nebbiolo, here’s the place to find something unique.
Not all the wines we make can fit into standard line-up, we often want our fans to have access to these special treasures. Check this list often as they are never the same for long.
String of Pearls Wine ClubIf you like rare grape varieties and special vineyard lots, this is the club for you. Never the same wine twice, always unique and thought provoking, these bottlings are like a series of precious gems; a String of Pearls.
Not sold elsewhere these offerings are beyond rare, often as small as 40 cases total production. Find out the details of String of Pearls Wine Club.
Mother of Pearl Wine ClubThe best way to stay in touch with the numerous release we offer is to become a member of our Mother of Pearl Wine Club.
This club features our classic labels, our well known favorite labels; Cabernets, Syarhs, Lateral and more. Even better, you’ll be able to get up to a 20% discount on re-orders.
This is the ticket for our most committed fans.
Non-Wine AccessoriesCorkscrews, T-shirts, hats and the like are offered through this link.
We source our materials in keeping with our sustainable standards, featuring organic cotton and other natural fabrics.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for right now, stay tuned our runs are very limited and will eventually be restocked.
