Rogers & Company Wines

Kenwood Vineyards

Sonoma Valley

Kenwood Vineyards was founded in 1970 when wine enthusiasts from the San Francisco Bay Area refurbished and modernized the former Pagani Brothers Winery, which was originally established in 1906. Ideally located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, Kenwood Vineyards, named after the town, is committed to producing premium wines that reflect Sonoma County's finest vineyards and define the region's grape varieties in their true character and style.

The winery sits on a beautiful twenty-two acre producing estate. Using the "Cuvée" winemaking method, the harvest from each vineyard is handled separately to preserve its individuality and true character. Such "small lot" winemaking allows winemaker Pat Henderson to bring each lot of wine to its fullest potential as shown in the blending of Kenwood Vineyard's Reserve, Jack London, and Single Vineyard Wines. A blend of the finest barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon also produce the acclaimed Artist Series wines revealing the evident rewards of this dedication to excellence.

Rogers & Company offers a selection of wines from 4 of Kenwoods wine-making series: The Sonoma Series, the Yulupa Series, Jack London and the Artist Series.

The Sonoma Series

The Sonoma Series wines were the first produced at Kenwood Vineyards from 1970 onwards. The first two varietals were Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and lastly Pinot Noir were added over the years. Only top quality grapes from Sonoma County's vineyards are used in the production of our Sonoma Series. Reviewers often find these wines to be "best buys" in the premium wine category.

Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Sonoma County
"Fresh lemon, new-mown hay and herb aromas are accented by a hint of papaya. Vibrant flavours of lemon, grapefruit and herb meld with a background note of mineral. Assertive and refreshing on the palate, this beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc concludes with a crisp, lingering finish that invites second and third glasses."

This 2010 Sauvignon Blanc represents the 31st anniversary vintage of a modern classic. From the very first vintage, Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc captured the grape's unique tropical fruit and herb character in appealing style, so much so that it soon became a best seller among California Sauvignon Blancs. The 2010 Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc continues this winning streak; totally delicious and very versatile, it may be the perfect summer wine.

Kenwood Vineyard draws Sauvignon Blanc grapes from five different Sonoma County appellations to create a wine of exceptional fruit, depth and balance. Grapes from Carneros and Russian River Valley, Sonoma County's coolest regions, exhibit forceful grass and herb character, as well as superb natural acidity. In contrast, grapes from the warmer Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley appellations showcase generous citrus, tropical fruit and melon nuances, plus elegant viscosity in the mouth. The ripe grapes are whole-cluster pressed and the juice from each vineyard lot is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its intrinsic character.

Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Sonoma County
"Complex flavours of cherries and plums followed by hints of nutmeg and cigar box. Full-bodied and smooth with rich tannins and a lingering finish."

Within Kenwood Vineyards' portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignons, the Sonoma County bottling is the one with the broadest appeal. The goal with Kenwood Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is to showcase the grape's rich, robust character in a smooth, easy-to-enjoy style that wine drinkers can - if they wish - enjoy every day.

The 2008 Sonoma County harvest yielded a small crop of concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and Senior Winemaker Pat Henderson's challenge was to tame that intensity. He began by drawing on appellations where Cabernet Sauvignon develops polished texture and "soft" tannins, primarily Alexander Valley and Sonoma Valley. Aging in small French and American oak barrels contributed complexity and smoothness. Lastly, he included small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec in the final blend to gain nuance and balance.

Generous aromas of red currant, plum and pipe tobacco give the 2008 Kenwood Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon immediate appeal. Fresh red and black currant flavours are complemented by spice complexity. Forward and supple, this appealing Cabernet culminates in a long, velvety finish.

"Powerful black fruit with fragrant cedar and sage aromas. Youthful but classy and elegantly structured with pepper, licorice and cassis."
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards 2010

Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River Valley
"Fruity aromas of strawberries and raspberries followed by subtle aromas of rose petals and fresh herbs; viscous texture and supple tannins give way to a long, smooth finish."

Kenwood Vineyards always sources Pinot Noir grapes from vineyards in the Russian River Valley, because Pinot Noir fully expresses its elegant and complex character when grown in this very cool, marine-influenced vineyard region.

For optimal Pinot Noir character, Kenwood Vineyards included a significant percentage of whole berries at fermentation. Gently pressed off the skins, the young wine then was aged in newer small French oak barrels for 11 months. A tiny percentage of Syrah was included in the final blend for additional complexity.

Generous aromas of blueberry, red currant, lavender and vanilla give the 2009 Kenwood Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir immediate appeal. Medium-bodied red currant and cherry flavours are accented by a rich note of cedar. The intensity of the vintage imparts weight and structure on the palate, which culminates in a full, lingering finish.

"A rich, fruity Pinot Noir that benefits beautifully from the oak ageing the wine has seen. Dry and well-structured on the palate, this wine is made for braised beef, or lay it down and treat yourself in two years."
4.1/5 points, winealign.com, April 26, 2011

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

The Yulupa Series

In the early 1990's, Kenwood launched a new series of wines created especially for the restaurant community. The goal was to create a wine with an attractive range of quality by-the-glass offerings for our on-premise customers. The first wine released was a Chardonnay, followed by a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Zinfandel, a Merlot and a Cuvée Brut. The wines feature unsurpassed smoothness, drinkability and an ability to pair well with a wide range of foods.

Chardonnay 2010 Yulupa
"Aromas of freshly cut pears and green apples with overtones of vanilla and butterscotch, followed by a rich mouthfeel and a fresh, crisp finish."

Kenwood Vineyards Yulupa Chardonnay was created in the early '90s to meet the growing demand for restaurant wine by-the-glass listings. The wine is made in a light, fruity style to pair well with a wide range of foods.

Grapes for the 2010 Yulupa Chardonnay were harvested in September and October after an extended growing season. Eighty percent of the juice was barrel fermented and aged on the lees in French oak barrels. A portion of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation to create a subtle round character. The remaining juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the bright, citrus flavours balanced in this wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Yulupa
"Aromas of blackberry and cherry; followed by a hint of vanilla and allspice. Medium bodied mouthfeel with soft, rich tannins and an excellent finish."

Kenwood Vineyards produces its Yulupa Cabernet Sauvignon with an emphasis on softness and drinkability. The grapes for this blend come from several vineyards in Sonoma County, chosen by Winemaker Pat Henderson. Striving to achieve a smooth, approachable wine, Pat looks specifically for fruit with softer tannins.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and subsequently aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 24 months. The resulting wine is complex, deep in colour with ripe wild berry, currant and subtle toast flavours with a soft finish.

Merlot 2007 Yulupa
"Fruity aromas of figs and plums with more complex notes of fresh herbs, well balanced tannins and rich mouth feel give way to a long, elegant finish."

This wine is produced from fruit of select California vineyards. Grapes from the cooler coastal climates bring deep colour and intense flavours to the wine, while grapes from the more northerly and warmer regions add fruity, cherry characteristics. The result is a supple, well-balanced wine, perfect for by-the-glass pours.

Following a long growing season, the Merlot crop was harvested in early October. Winemaker Pat Henderson kept each lot separate throughout fermentation in stainless steel and aging in a combination of American and French oak for 18 months.

Zinfandel 2008 Lodi Old Vines
"Aromas of ripe boysenberries and figs, followed by complex lavender and bay leaf notes. This medium-bodied wine has a supple mouthfeel and a lingering, smooth finish."

The Old Vines Zinfandel wine comes from two vineyards in the Lodi Appellation that were planted in the early 1900s. These vineyards are owned by second- and third-generation family grape growers. The vineyards are old-style, head-pruned, and yield a very low two-and-a-half to three tons per acre.

This wine is aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, creating complexity of bouquet and softened tannins. The Lodi Old Vines Zinfandel has been crafted to showcase the inviting fruit qualities that are characteristic of its appellation, and to present soft and approachable flavours for ready consumption. This is a medium-bodied, vibrant wine with blackberry fruit aromas and flavours, with a smooth and supple mouth-feel.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Jack London

Author Jack London once wrote of Sonoma County,

"The air is wine. Across Sonoma Mountain, wisps of sea fog are stealing. The afternoon sun smolders in the drowsy sky. I have everything to make me glad I am alive."

This patch of earth that so captivated Mr. London is home to Kenwood Vineyards. Kenwood plants, farms and harvests the historical, lava-terraced vineyards of Jack London's ranch, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot wines. Made only from Jack London vineyard grapes, these three wines are savored for their mint-accented berry flavours and smooth finishes. The dramatic Jack London label - a replica of the wolf's head Jack London used as his book-plate logo - has created tremendous consumer interest and recognition in the wines.

Over 800 acres of Jack London's Beauty Ranch are now owned and operated by the California State Parks System. Visitors have the opportunity to hike, bike or horseback ride through much of the property, as well as view many of the ranch's buildings and Jack London home and grave, including the remains of the Wolf House.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Jack London Vineyard
"Rich and complex with aromas of cigar box, mint and a hint of vanilla from French oak aging; a full-bodied wine with flavours of black currant and rich, elegant tannins with an excellent finish."

In 1976, Kenwood Vineyards was granted the exclusive rights to produce and market wines from Jack London's historic vineyard in Glen Ellen. This unique red lava soil vineyard, located on the western slopes of Sonoma Valley, was first planted in the late 1800s. It has always produced red wines distinct in depth and varietal character.

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was harvested in late September, after an outstanding growing season, which produced very flavourful grapes. Following fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged in newer French oak barrels for two years. The resulting wine is wonderfully complex with powerful berry, spice and earth flavours. Delicious now, this Cabernet will continue to develop and improve with further bottle aging.

" This Cabernet has fiercely attractive black cherry, dark spices, dried herbs, and yes, a savagely good finish. It's got a grip from robust tannins so age it or decant it for two hours if you can't. Plush dark fleshy berries but solid structure and balance. Drink at your next book club meeting."
92 points, nataliemaclean.com, June 6, 2011

Visit Kenwood Vineyards.

All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

Read the small print for more information.