THE STORY
Another surprise find at K&L Wine Merchants was this 2026 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon. I blind tasted it back in July – dark berry, and leather and something mysterious, warm, familiar from the kitchen; something earthy, mushroom-y. I was delighted to see it was a Kathryn Kennedy wine when it was revealed. I had heard of the prowess of her Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains. But we had a strong disagreement in our household. My husband, the real wine connoisseur in our household, said there was no earth, mushroom, or mysterious scents or flavors. I had the fortune to taste this wine again last week and none of those unusual flavors were there. But I just read the professional reviews and I feel validated in my original taste. OK, maybe not the mysterious part – that might have been due to a cold.
You can read more about this wine on the K&L Website here. They still have some left at this bargain price as of this writing (09/18/2026).
I’ve written about Santa Cruz Mountains wines many times (just do a search on Decanting Monterey), but this is my first post about Kathryn Kennedy.
THE WINERY
From their website:
“Kathryn established her vineyard during “The Wine Boom of the early 1970s”. New fashions and lifestyles were being introduced by the likes of Sunset Magazine and Julia Child. Bright colors, fresh California produce, outdoor dining and a taste for the finest foods in the European tradition were all the rage. This included a taste for the classic French Wines and the high art they represented. Kathryn was a pioneering female in the CA wine industry. Her brand was one of the first to bear a woman’s name. Her location was unusual too. Although Saratoga had a stellar wine history in the 1880s, by the 1970s it was far from Napa and off the map to all but the most astute. In preparation for planting her 7 acres, she attended two full semesters of the viticulture program at UC Davis. Wise old professors such a Dept. Chair Kasamatis and Prof. Cook advised Kathryn to plant Cabernet Sauvignon. Own rooted Clone #8 cuttings sourced from David Bruce Vineyards were developed for one year in an on-site nursery before planting in 1973. Kathryn enlisted the help of her extended family and many volunteer friends to do the backbreaking work of planting 3300 new vines using shovels and garden hoses. After selling fruit for two vintages to Mount Eden Vineyards in Saratoga, Kathryn established her brand and winery in 1979. Her advisor and first winemaker was Bill Anderson, who went on to be the long-standing winemaker at Chateau Julien in Carmel Valley. From 1979 until 1988 Kathryn’s tiny winery produced only Estate Cabernet…”
“After 35 years, working alongside Kathryn Kennedy, her son Marty Mathis continues their commitment to growing and making world class sustainable wines.”
THE WINE
Today I am presenting 1 Kathryn Kennedy wine.Winery notes come from the winery’s website or internet search. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the websites of others. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2006 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 14.8% ABV, $220/$60 (K&L) (#1804)
94 points Wine Enthusiast: “This is a fascinating showcase of how graceful Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon can age. Now 15 years old, this bottling still shows complex aromas of roasted strawberry, ashy wood, mashed olive, espresso bean and damp mushroom. The palate remains as fresh as many new Cabs, with polished tannins offering dark fruit, dried porcini and bittersweet cocoa flavors. *Editors’ Choice* (MK).”
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Blackberry and leather mingle with warm mushroom and earth notes, wrapped in a brandy-esque undertone on the nose. Intense, aged fruit on the well-structured palate, reminiscent of a fine, aged Bordeaux. I might have guessed Old World if we were playing the Mystery Wine game. July/September 2026
THE TASTING ROOM
Kathryn Kennedy is not open to visitors and has no tasting room. They recommend contacting the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association for visitor information.
© Decanting Monterey 2026
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