Kathryn Kennedy

Kathryn Kennedy (July 28, 1927 – August 23, 2009) was a California wine grower, establishing her vineyard during the growth phase in the California wine history known as "The Wine Boom of the early 1970s". While not the first woman winemaker (Zelma Long and others), Kennedy was one of the first owners of a brand to bear a woman's name in California, and one who came to the scene independent of the young women graduates of the University of California-Davis.

Early life Born 1927, Kennedy moved from Santa Cruz to Santa Clara Valley at the age of 15, earning a degree from Stanford University at the age of 19.

In preparation for planting her , she attended two semesters of the viticulture program at University of California, Davis. There she was advised to plant Cabernet Sauvignon on her property. This recommendation was based not only on the "Region Two" climate classification for her land in Saratoga, but also on the market projections that were held during the late 1960s. In 2003 production was expanded to include a 4000 case red blend named Lateral made in Napa Valley as well as a Sauvignon blanc made from organic grapes. The Estate Vineyard was certified organic in time for the 2007 vintage.