Kennedy Point Vineyard
Malborough (New Zealand) 

The Estate
Susan McCarthy and Neal Kunimura moved from Hawaii to Waiheke Island with only the passion and determination to grow and produce quality Red Bordeaux style and Syrah wines. Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in Marlborough were added to their selection of fine wine in 2000. Kennedy Point Vineyard, named for the Kennedy family who settled this area of Waiheke in the late 1800's, and still have an ancestral home on the Island today, was established in 1996 and their first harvest was in 1999. 

The Vineyard
The vineyard is planted on 2.5 acres. The beautiful site on the southeastern side of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf provides a steep north-facing slope for optimum ripening of the grapes. Their philosophy of following natural viticulture methods allow them to work with premium quality grapes and use a little interventions as possible in the wine making process.

The Wines

shelf talker

shelf talker

2011 Kennedy Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00442 3
#NZ1EE118006SBS
Kennedy Point Vineyard makes a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that captures the essence of the regional fruit. The grapes, grown in the hot, stony soils of the Wairau, produce a wine redolent of fresh cut wild flowers and a full palate of passion fruit, gooseberry and citrus.The wine has a crisp dry finish and is perfect as an aperitif, with seafood or any light summer meal.


2010 Kennedy Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00442 3
#NZ1EE118005SBS
Kennedy Point Vineyard makes a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that captures the essence of the regional fruit. The grapes, grown in the hot, stony soils of the Wairau, produce a wine redolent of fresh cut wild flowers and a full palate of passion fruit, gooseberry and citrus. The wine has a crisp dry finish and is perfect as an aperitif, with seafood or any light summer meal.

"Peach, pear and citrus flavors have a nice fleshy quality, leading to tangy acidity and mineral notes on the finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made. –MW"
- Wine Spectator (Web Only 2011) - 85pts

2009 Kennedy Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00442 3
#NZ1EE118002SBS

"Kennedy Point’s 2009 Sauvignon Blanc has intense lemon/lime aromas with some stone fruits and fresh hay. Crisp, dry, medium bodied with a good concentration of pure if simple citrus fruit flavors, it finishes long. Drink it now while it’s this fresh."
- Wine Advocate (Oct. 2010), 86 pts

2008 Kennedy Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00442 3
#NZ1EE118017SBS
Kennedy Point Vineyard makes a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that captures the essence of the regional fruit. The grapes, grown in the hot, stony soils of the Wairau, produce a wine that has aromas of fresh cut wild flowers, tropical fruit and a full palate of passion fruit, gooseberry and citrus. The wine has a crisp dry finish and is perfect as an aperitif, with seafood or any light summer meal.

"Fresh and zingy, with pretty grapefruit and green papaya flavors that remain refreshing through the open-textured finish. Drink now."
- Wine Spectator (April 09), 90 pts


National Retail Price: $17.99 / bottle

shelf talker

2009 Kennedy Point, Waiheke, Pinot Noir 6/750ml
#NZ0EE118002PNM
UPC code: 7 84585 01074 5
Aged in French oak for 15 months. The wine displays ripe strawberry and red cherry fruit flavors and all the earthy characteristics that typify Pinot Noir.

- Wine Enthusiast (April 2012), 89pts

2007 Kennedy Point, Waiheke, Pinot Noir 6/750ml
#NZ0EE118001PNM
UPC code: 7 84585 01074 5
Aged in French oak for 15 months. The wine displays ripe strawberry and red cherry fruit flavors and all the earthy characteristics that typify Pinot Noir.

National Retail Price: $28.95 / bottle

shelf talker

2010 Kennedy Point, Waiheke, Syrah 6/750ml
#NZ0EE118008SYM
UPC code: 7 84585 00445 4
Aged in French oak for 19 months.
The wine is reminiscent of a northern Rhone wine that is fermented with 2% Viognier, which lifts the aromas of pepper, spice and dark fruit.  This full-bodied wine finishes with fine tannins and structured spicy fruit. It should be aged for 3 to 8 years.

2008 Kennedy Point, Waiheke, Syrah 6/750ml
#NZ0EE118003SYM
UPC code: 7 84585 00445 4
Aged in French oak for 19 months.
The wine is reminiscent of a northern Rhone wine that is fermented with 2% Viognier, which lifts the aromas of pepper, spice and dark fruit.  This full-bodied wine finishes with fine tannins and structured spicy fruit. It should be aged for 3 to 8 years.

"This is lively, tangy and peppery in both aroma and flavor, with the currant and plum fruit balancing the spiciness nicely, hinting at mineral notes as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2013."
- Wine Spectator (June 15, 2010), 90 pts

2007 Kennedy Point, Waiheke, Syrah 6/750ml
#NZ0EE118000SYM
UPC code: 7 84585 00445 4
Aged in French oak for 19 months.
The wine is reminiscent of a northern Rhone wine that is fermented with 2% Viognier, which lifts the aromas of pepper, spice and dark fruit.  This full-bodied wine finishes with fine tannins and structured spicy fruit. It should be aged for 3 to 8 years.
The International Wine Challenge 2009
International Syrah Trophy,
New Zealand Syrah Trophy
New Zealand Red Wine Trophy
Auckland Syrah Trophy.

National Retail Price: $28.95 / bottle