Introduction to Gagnon-Kennedy Winery
Gagnon-Kennedy is a boutique winery partnership between renowned winemaker Marc Gagnon (Former Head Winemaker Bryant Family Vineyard, Assistant Winemaker Screaming Eagle) and sommelier Michael Kennedy (Former Head Sommelier for Chef Eric Ripert). The goal of Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards is to produce terroir-driven wines of balance from the founding vineyard sites in Napa & Sonoma.
Approach to Napa Valley Cuvée
Marc Gagnon and Michael Kennedy approach their Napa Valley Cuvée as a symphony composed from the historic single vineyards they work with across the valley. When looking at the entire Napa Valley appellation, the terroir is wildly diverse - from warm to cool, mountain to valley floor. The goal of this wine is to be a Gagnon-Kennedy interpretation of the valley in totality. It includes their home vineyard, the Caldwell in Coombsville, plus Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper and the Old Federal Block in Oakville, and Samuel Brannan in Calistoga.
Selection Process and Inspiration
Each barrel that goes into the cuvée is selected first - drawing inspiration from Krug Champagne’s masterful Grande Cuvée and so ensuring that the wine is the ultimate expression of Napa as a whole in each and every vintage.
