[1] Kenwood Vineyards was established in 1970 at the site of the former Pagani Brothers Winery, a historic wine cellar built in 1906.

In 1978, local artist David Lance Goines was commissioned to create an original artwork to be used for the label of the 1975 reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

[4][11] In 1999, Korbel sold Kenwood Vineyards to New York-based Banfi Vintners, the makers of Riunite.

[10][12] Korbel owner and president Gary Heck explained that the rationale for the sale was to prioritize the company's sparkling wine business.

It’s very profitable, but sparkling wine [consumption] is now at an all-time high [in America], so we want to put all our executive effort and focus on it.”[10] In 2011, co-founder and winemaker Mike Lee died.

In the 1970s, Lee helped establish Sonoma Valley as one of the first American Viticultural Areas at a time when the region was known for jug wine.

[5] In 2014, Pernod Ricard Winemakers acquired premium wine brand Kenwood Vineyards.

[14] The Artist Series is highly regarded, according to Wine Spectator, and has received critical acclaim.

[8][16] Labels have featured art by Charles Mingus (1978), Joan Miró (1987), Pablo Picasso (1989), Henry Miller (1992), Alexander Calder (1993), Wayne Thiebaud (1996), Shepard Fairey (2004), Paul Klee (2006), and Dave Kinsey (2007).

Today, Kenwood manages the 130-acre vineyard and produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah grown on hillsides that were first terraced by author Jack London.