Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon

Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon is a North Coast California red wine blended with Merlot, bottled at 13.514% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Born from a collaboration between musician Dave Matthews and winemaker Sean McKenzie, this Cabernet earned a Platinum Award at the 2020 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition and holds an 89-point aggregate on Wine-Searcher for its 2021 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.514% | Origin: North Coast, California | Style: Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot | Producer: The Dreaming Tree

Production & Heritage

The Dreaming Tree was founded as a partnership between Dave Matthews and veteran winemaker Sean McKenzie, drawing fruit from vineyards across Sonoma County and Mendocino in California’s North Coast. The Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with a portion of Merlot to round out the mid-palate, a common Bordeaux-inspired approach that adds softness to the wine’s tannic structure. Beyond what’s in the glass, the brand distinguishes itself through sustainability commitments: its bottles weigh roughly 50% less than the industry standard, and eco-friendly label materials are used throughout packaging to minimize the wine’s carbon footprint.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and blackberry lead the nose, followed by layers of toasted caramel and dark chocolate. Subtle cedar and tobacco notes emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward with ripe blackberry and plum, transitioning to a mid-palate of Tahitian vanilla cream, clove, and allspice. Deeper into each sip, flavors of orange-tinged dark chocolate and coffee develop alongside herbal undertones, carried by silky, well-integrated tannins.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering impressions of crme frache, black currant, and a whisper of toasted oak. The tannins remain smooth through the close, leaving a clean, fruit-anchored farewell.

How to Drink Dreaming Tree Cabernet

This North Coast Cab drinks well at cellar temperature (6065F) with no decanting required, though 2030 minutes of air time deepens its chocolate and spice layers. It also holds its own in wine-forward cocktails. A Cabernet Sangria with dark stone fruit and cinnamon plays directly into its blackberry and allspice character. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) works surprisingly well here, the coffee and chocolate notes bridging the two liquids naturally. For a more refined mix, a New York Sour layered atop a whiskey sour lets the wine’s dark fruit and vanilla cream float complement the citrus base below.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a reliable, fruit-driven California Cab without deliberation
• Gifting to environmentally conscious wine drinkers who appreciate sustainable packaging
• Casual backyard grilling sessions with red meat, burgers, or smoked sausage
• Introducing someone to North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon at an approachable entry point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dreaming Tree Cabernet taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry and plum, layered with dark chocolate, coffee, and warm baking spices like clove and allspice. Silky tannins and a touch of vanilla cream give it a smooth, medium-bodied character.

How does Dreaming Tree Cabernet compare to Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are widely available California Cabernets at a similar price tier, but Dreaming Tree sources specifically from North Coast vineyards in Sonoma County and Mendocino, while Josh Cellars draws from a broader California appellation. Dreaming Tree tends to show more pronounced spice and chocolate complexity, whereas Josh Cellars leans toward softer, darker fruit with oak influence.

Is Dreaming Tree Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes its balanced tannins and layered fruit-to-spice profile make it very approachable on its own, especially with a slight chill and a few minutes of air. No decanter is strictly necessary, though one does open up additional nuance.

Where is Dreaming Tree Cabernet made? It is produced in California’s North Coast AVA, with grapes sourced from vineyards in Sonoma County and Mendocino. The wine is made by winemaker Sean McKenzie under The Dreaming Tree label.

What foods pair well with Dreaming Tree Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements its dark fruit and tannin structure. Aged cheddar or Gouda mirrors the wine’s caramel and vanilla undertones. Dark chocolate desserts echo the cocoa and coffee notes on the mid-palate. Herb-crusted lamb chops align with its subtle herbal character. Mushroom risotto provides an earthy counterpoint to the ripe berry flavors.

What sizes does Dreaming Tree Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed format.

Is Dreaming Tree Cabernet worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range California Cabernet, and its Platinum award from the 2020 Sommelier Challenge suggests it punches above its weight in competition against peers at the same tier. The North Coast sourcing and sustainable packaging add genuine value beyond the liquid itself.

Why Dreaming Tree Cabernet?

This is one of the few widely distributed California Cabernets that sources exclusively from the North Coast specifically Sonoma County and Mendocino rather than blending across the state’s broader appellations. That regional specificity translates into a more structured, spice-driven wine than many peers at its price point, a quality validated by its Platinum recognition at the 2020 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition. The sustainability angle is not marketing window dressing: bottles weighing half the industry average represent a measurable reduction in shipping emissions. For drinkers seeking a dependable, environmentally conscious North Coast Cab with genuine complexity, Dreaming Tree delivers without requiring a collector’s budget.