Cornell Winery is named after the historic city of Cornell, CA. Cornell is located just 5 minutes from the 101/Kanan interchange in the center of Santa Monica Mountains pinched in between Malibu and Agoura Hills.

The town of Cornell gets its name from an act of kindness by a great man on the east coast, Ezra Cornell (Founder of Cornell University). Back in the late 1800's, a group of individuals, who probably called NY home at some point, sent a wire to Ezra asking for help as they wanted to develop a one-room schoolhouse for the local families. The university sent out a box of books and syllabus for the students. With gratitude, they named their town Cornell, CA.  

The Old Place restaurant next door was once Hank's Country Store and served as the official post office for the town of Cornell. The Old Place honors this bit of history by keeping the old sorting table from the post office, complete with the residents’ names and uses it as a center point in a private dining room known as the Mail Room.

As for Cornell Winery, the story really starts with a friendship between Tim Skogstrom and the family that owns the Old Place, the building that we are located in, and the building next door, which is now a creative space for Jason Momoa “Aquaman”. Back in 2006, Tom Runyon, the patriarch of the family, his wife Barbara, and son Morgan introduced me to their building, which would become Cornell Winery. The plan has taken a few twists and turns, but for the most part, what was set out to do is just what we are doing - celebrating, drinking and selling locally produced wines.

Cornell Winery is a tasting room. The satff no longer makes wine but who knows, never say never. Cornell Winery and Tasting Room's position is that of a guide, since it's the only place in the area that allows exploring the majority of wines made in the mountains in the area. The winery also promotes wines moving up the central coast as it feels that local is a few hours on the road. 

Here is a letter from Tom:

"My name is Tim Skogstrom, and I started Cornell after more than 20 years in the wine business. I worked in the distribution part of the industry for Young's Market Company here in LA and then transitioned over to the winery side as a marketing and sales manager for Francis Coppola. After 10 years with Coppola, we grew into a household name and one of the most successful brands in the industry. Francis gave me important advice, and it has played a critical role in the success we have had here at Cornell. Francis is well recognized as one the best storytellers of our time and having the opportunity to be so close to such an incredibly talented individual, well, some things certainly stuck.  

One thing that Francis did in the wine business was to buy history. Francis bought Inglenook winery, which to most may not seem that impressive, but to those that know a little history, that purchase was one of the most important moves for the historical integrity of the California wine business. Founded in 1880, Inglenook was the first winery from California to win awards in Paris, long before Chateau Montelena or Stags Leap even existed. The property had been sold off in pieces to some of the most ruthless wine corporations, and the name was slapped on the worst wine made in the state. 

Tom passed away in 2009, and after he was put to rest and the family was able to make decisions again. Tom's son Morgan and I devised a plan to re-open the Old Place with a bit of a twist. I came on board and ran the business for three years and am proud to say that the Old Place has become one of the top restaurants in Los Angeles, with lines out the door each time it is opened. With a great staff at both businesses, the two (the Old Place and Cornell Winery) feed off each other, and our employees cannot wait to come to work. 

I know, as a matter of fact, that this place just makes me feel good. I hope you come on by and let Cornell, CA work its charms on you!

Sincerely,

Tim"