Saratoga, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Kathryn Kennedy Winery
An eight-acre Saratoga estate planted in 1973, growing certified-organic Cabernet on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The story
Where the wine comes from
In 1973, Kathryn Kennedy planted eight acres of vines on their own roots on gentle slopes in Saratoga, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains — excellent soil, just the right amount of marine influence, and intense personal attention.
Today her son Marty Mathis continues her commitment to growing and making world-class sustainable wines, carrying forward what Kathryn began after being inspired by the great Martin Ray Cabernets of the 1950s.
The estate is CCOF certified organic, the wines are vinified in small lots, and the Santa Cruz Mountains remains one of the most overlooked great terroirs in the country — exactly the story a living-room tasting was made for.
Winemaking
Marty Mathis
Philosophy
Hand-grown, certified-organic estate Cabernet from one small Saratoga hillside, vinified in small lots and built to age.
Region
Saratoga, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
The wines
What could be on your table
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Illustrative vintage
Fresh, focused and acid-driven — cassis, dried herb and mountain tannin built for the cellar.
Pairs with: Roast lamb, dry-aged steak, aged hard cheese.
Small Lot Cabernet
Cabernet Sauvignon
Illustrative vintage
Hillside intensity — dark cherry, graphite and bay laurel with a long, savory finish.
Pairs with: Short rib, mushroom ragù, anything slow-cooked.
Wines, vintages and notes shown here are illustrative until confirmed with the winery.
Tasting collections
Choose the evening you want to host
Each collection is built by the winery to introduce a room of guests to what they do.
The 1973 Estate
4 bottles · $500 deposit
Four wines from one of California's great small estates, poured with its history.
Host this tastingSanta Cruz Mountains Vertical
5 bottles · $625 deposit
A vintage-by-vintage walk through the estate Cabernet, with the winemaker on video.
Host this tastingBooking opens with our first round of tastings. Join the host list and we'll match you with this winery when it does.