Family-Owned Calistoga Vineyard Recognized in the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge and the California Wines and Wineries International Cabernet Franc Competition
Calistoga, Calif. – (April 18, 2024) – Kenefick Ranch, a family owned and operated vineyard located in Napa Valley’s northernmost American Viticultural Area (AVA) – Calistoga, today announced outstanding achievements earned at two esteemed wine competitions. The winery received two gold medals at the 12th Annual Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge for their 2016 Kenefick Ranch Doctor’s Cuvée and the 2021 Kenefick Ranch Merlot. In addition, the small production winery earned a silver medal in the $31 to $50 category at the California Wines and Wineries International Cabernet Franc Competition.
“We are immensely proud of these accolades, which serve as a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team,” said Chris Kenefick, CEO and second-generation proprietor at Kenefick Ranch. “These awards reinforce our commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality that reflect the rich heritage and distinctiveness of our vineyard.”
The 12th Annual Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge highlighted more than 1,000 wines produced in California’s prestigious North Coast wine region including Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake, Mendocino and parts of Solano counties. The competition took place on April 2-3 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The judges were hand-picked – a collection of winemakers and sommeliers, creating a sophisticated and competitive challenge. Only wines rated 90+ were granted the honor of a gold award. The 2021 Kenefick Ranch Merlot earned a 90-point ranking while the 2016 Doctor’s Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 94-point ranking. For the full list of this year’s winners, please visit: PressDemocrat.com.
The 5th Annual Cabernet Franc Wine Competition hosted by California Wines and Wineries was held on April 3, 2024, at the Copper Valley Golf Club Clubhouse. The competition employed a blind format utilizing the Danish system, with wines being bagged and tagged with coded numbers. Four judges, including two professional judges and two people’s choice judges, voted on medal designation. Among the 91 entries, the 2019 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc, Caitlin’s Select, was awarded a silver medal in the $31-$50 category. For the full list of this year’s winners, please visit: CaliforniaWinesandWineries.com.
To purchase Kenefick Ranch wines, please visit www.KenefickRanch.com/Shop.
For more information on wines and upcoming events, visit www.KenefickRanch.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest news and see a schedule of virtual wine tastings by following Kenefick Ranch on Facebook and Instagram.
About Kenefick Ranch
Kenefick Ranch is a family-owned vineyard located in Calistoga, CA. The vineyard was founded when Dr. Tom Kenefick, a practicing neurosurgeon in San Francisco, first visited – and fell in love with – the Napa Valley. In 1980, he purchased a 250-acre ranch located in the region’s northernmost American Viticultural Area (AVA) – Calistoga, where half the land is planted with grapevines. In 2002, Dr. Kenefick retired from neurosurgery and Kenefick Ranch began producing and selling its own portfolio of award-winning wines. Today, Kenefick Ranch sells its own label, and 90 percent of its grapes to such prestigious labels as Caymus Vineyards, Cade Estate Winery, and Nickel + Nickel. Kenefick Ranch boasts a dynamic wine club, giving oenophiles and novices alike access to an array of benefits including discounts, first notifications of limited releases, invitations to private events, complimentary tastings, vineyard tours, and incentive savings on shipments and anniversary gifts. For more information or to sign up, visit www.KenefickRanch.com/Wine-Club.
