Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards Old Federal Block Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2021

Gagnon-Kennedy is a collaboration between two longtime friends who met in Napa and came from opposite sides of the wine world as a winemaker and a sommelier.  Marc Gagnon, the winemaker, and Michael Kennedy, the sommelier, met in the early 2010s at Bryant Family Vineyards, where Marc was the winemaker.  Michael was visiting Napa Valley to discover new brands to work with at Chef Eric Ripert’s Blue & The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman.  During the tour of Bryant, the two immediately hit it off and, while quite different in their personalities, found common ground in their love for Napa Valley and its history.  They struck up a friendship, and over the next few years, they stayed connected by hosting wine dinners and regularly checking in.

Fast forward three years and the two were together again, sharing a meal at a local Napa restaurant and catching up.  Marc had recently left Bryant, and of course, Michael’s question was, “What’s next for you?”  After a few bottles of wine and lots of conversation, the seed was planted that the two had more to do in the world of wine, and they would work together.  Their shared affection for Napa Valley but, more importantly, its place in California winemaking history proved to be the motif they both felt driven to create a brand around.  From there, securing contracts for some of Napa Valley’s most legendary and historic vineyards was a fun adventure.

In terms of iconic Napa Valley, it doesn’t get more renowned than Oakville and the vineyards within the original To Kalon parcel.  There is a hidden gem within the vines that few wineries are granted access to.  The grapes for this bottling come from the Old Federal Vineyard, part of UC Davis’ experimental block in the heart of Oakville.  It is neighbor to To Kalon and Mondavi and has contributed more to our understanding of viticulture than any other research vineyard.  Hamilton Crabb planted the original plot in the late 1880s with over 400 varietals to experiment and determine which grapes would thrive.  In the years between his endeavors and the current day, it remained a vineyard for exploration.  It even transferred to the Federal government during Prohibition, who eventually sold it to UC Davis.

Marc selected 100% new French oak for the five barrels of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Old Federal.  He notes the importance of producing wine from this treasured parcel and does not take it lightly.  In his words, “the finished wine reflected the clay and sand soils of this unique parcel, creating a wine that is elegant and complex - with a vibrant and silkier texture than many of its neighbors.”