Cornell Vineyards

Having lived a significant portion of his life overseas, Henry Cornell learned early on that wine is an excellent way to connect with people of different cultures. He always brings a bottle of wine to lunch or dinner; it’s an icebreaker. And while a lifetime of tasting, reading, learning and collecting naturally led to an appreciation of European wines, when it came time to start his own wine venture – the logical conclusion to this lifelong love of wine – Henry settled on California.

Time spent in the 1970’s as a young adult in San Francisco acquainted him with some of the “classic” California Cabernets – wines like BV, Montelena, Raymond, Heitz – and it was a wine profile Henry never forgot. When he first saw the property that would become Cornell Vineyards, he was enamored by the sheer beauty and history of the property. It drew him in and he knew he had to make a wine from this place.

Like her husband Henry, Vanessa Cornell shares a deep connection with their property and firmly believes in creating an ethos where care for both the land and the people working on it go hand in hand. Having been moved by this place, Vanessa was inspired to launch an artist in residence program and begin the development of a culinary garden that will live among the vineyards.

Together, Henry and Vanessa lead a team of talented wine industry professionals from Napa and Sonoma, who are manifesting their dream of building a legacy and making a world-class wine that is worthy of the place it was born.

Vanessa is the founder of NUSHU Society, a women’s membership community grounded in wellness and empowerment. In addition, she serves on the Leadership Council of the Mt. Sinai Children’s Health and Development Institute and is involved in women’s alumnae initiatives at her alma maters, St. Paul’s School and Harvard College. Passions include surfing, rock climbing, contemporary Japanese ceramics and wine. 

Henry is the founder of Cornell Capital and sits on the board of trustees of Mount Sinai Hospital, the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Asia Society, and the Navy SEAL Foundation, and is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Henry and Vanessa reside in New York with their five children and return to their team at Cornell Vineyards often.

In 2015, Cornell Vineyards welcomed a full-time vineyard crew to live on the property, to farm the vines and to care for the land. The vineyard team has furthered the Cornell’s commitment to organically and sustainably farm the land and maintain an intimate relationship with each vine as the seasons change.

Roberto Jacobo is the Estate Equipment Operator, living on the property with his wife and son. Balthazar Aguilar is the Irrigation Lead. Javier Hernandez is the Tractor Driver, and also lives on property with his wife and daughter. Armando R. Hernandez and Rene Molina are the newest additions to the team. 

The property came alive when the team made Cornell Vineyards their home, yielding a mutual commitment and deep connection to the mountain estate. When they aren’t working in the vineyards, the team is enjoying a lifestyle with less commuting and more time spent with their families.

This land is the source of our vision. Almost twenty years ago we purchased a plot of rugged, untamed ground in the Mayacamas Range just west of the Spring Mountain District. We discovered where vines had been tended by early settlers years ago and with respect for the land, we returned the rolling hillsides to vineyard. Two hundred forty wild acres with sweeping views contain twenty acres of obsessively farmed vineyard blocks, each with its own distinctive imprint. Under the guidance of winemakers Francoise Peschon and Elizabeth Tangney, we strive to make a Cabernet Sauvignon that is faithful to the diversity of this impressive land.

- Henry and Vanessa Cornell