2007 Kathryn Kennedy Contra La Marea

Kathryn Kennedy is a 7-acre estate in Saratoga, in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was founded by the late Kathryn Kennedy, who moved to the property in 1949 and later planted a vineyard. Kennedy studied viticulture in her 40s and went on to be one of the state’s first successful women winemakers. Her first commercial vintages were produced in the late 1970s. Today the estate is run by her son, Marty Mathis, who has been winemaker since 1981. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and a blend. About 7,000 cases are produced annually.

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.