Cornerstone Cellars is the shared vision of three men dedicated to creating elegant, classic wines in some of the world’s finest growing regions. When the winery’s founder Mike Dragutsky joined forces with Craig Camp in late 2007, the first order of business was to find a winemaker who shared their vision of balanced wines, driven by acidity and freshness. They were delighted to discover Jeff Keene, whose winemaking career began in his native New Zealand and led him to the Napa Valley. Jeff joined them in 2008 and they’ve been making stunning wines ever since.
The team’s philosophy is unconventional, yet logical. With the conviction that there is no finer place in the world to grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot than the Napa Valley, they dedicate the Yountville wine production to classic, balanced Bordeaux and Rhône varietals and blends. Of special note is the distinctive Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, which has developed a cult following. According to Craig, the current 2010 vintage is “a wine of great longevity and breed.”
Since man (at least these men) cannot live by Bordeaux alone, they set out to make exquisite Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Firmly believing that these varieties do best in Oregon’s esteemed Willamette Valley, they established Cornerstone Oregon in Gaston and hired the renowned Tony Rynders as their winemaker. Cornerstone Oregon currently crafts three wines: a lean, crisp Chardonnay; a classic, well structured, barrel-selected Pinot Noir; and the seamless Stepping Stone Pinot Noir at a very attractive price.
“The wines we make are the wines we love to drink: wines with soul and personality,” Jeff says. They are wines tasting room guests love to drink too. Many first-timers sign up for the Cornerstone wine club on the spot and begin a close connection with Jeff, Craig, and Mike that deepens as each amazing Cornerstone wine is released.
An Interview with Partner Craig Camp
T&T: You, Mike Dragutsky, and Jeff Keene work closely together as a team. What is the glue that holds you together?
CC: We’re all about the wine. We’re very intense about that. The three of us have really been driven toward creating wines in an elegant, more classic style, as opposed to big, bold, over-the-top wines. People are really floored by the quality of the wines.
T&T: Isn’t it tricky to have two distinct wineries in two separate regions?
CC: Not when you want to make the very best wines. The Napa Valley is one of the few perfect places on earth to grow Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the few perfect places on earth to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Although we’d been in the Napa Valley for 20 years, when we decided to make Pinot Noir, we had to go where the grapes grow. For us, it was the Willamette Valley. Plus, Tony Rynders is one of the most dynamic winemakers around. It’s more important where the vines put down roots rather than where we put down roots.
T&T: What’s your vision regarding Cornerstone Cellars’ size and growth?
CC: We’re about as big as we want to be in Napa. We’re very hands-on and I don’t want to have to lose that level of control. In Oregon, we’re just growing slowly, as the fruit becomes available. We’re hoping to have a tasting room to open in Oregon sometime. Stay tuned.