Cornerstone Cellars
Cornerstone Cellars is a family-owned, boutique Napa Valley winery founded in 1991, producing ~4,000 cases annually of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé for direct-to-consumer consumers via its Yountville tasting room, three-tier wine club, and online sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersYountville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cornerstone Cellars does
Cornerstone Cellars is a family-owned, boutique Napa Valley winery founded in 1991 by Dr. Michael Dragutsky and Beni Dragutsky, operating from American Canyon with a tasting presence at The Yount Room in Yountville. The winery produces approximately 4,000 cases per year of single-vineyard wines — some in lots as small as 100 cases — sourced from premium California AVAs including Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga, Sonoma, and Sta. Rita Hills. The portfolio centers on Cabernet Sauvignon as the flagship, supplemented by Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé, with bottle prices ranging roughly from $95 to $140.
Production is run under custom-crush arrangements (notably with Laird Family Estate since 2006), with winemaking led by Kari Auringer, who has served as Winemaker/General Manager for 15+ years; Matthew Mills is Managing Partner. The business model is overwhelmingly direct-to-consumer: a three-tier wine club, online sales via theyountroom.com shipping to most U.S. states, and on-premise tasting flights priced $50–$95, augmented by a limited wholesale channel. In 2025, the Yountville tasting room was restructured into The Yount Room, a shared collective with Conn Creek and Cain, signaling a co-tenancy approach to DTC operations.
Cornerstone Cellars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cornerstone Cellars
- Legal name
- Cornerstone Cellars
- Website
- https://cornerstonecellars.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cornerstone Cellars is a family-owned, boutique Napa Valley winery founded in 1991, producing ~4,000 cases annually of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé for direct-to-consumer consumers via its Yountville tasting room, three-tier wine club, and online sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cornerstone Cellars industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Boutique Winery
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Wine Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAB)
Keywords
Where Cornerstone Cellars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yountville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cornerstone Cellars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer Tasting Room: Wine tastings at The Yount Room collective tasting space in Yountville. Tastings are by appointment with credit card reservation. Includes Winery Focus flight and Collective Flight options with partner wineries.
- Wine Club Membership: Three-tier wine club with wines curated by winemakers and delivered to members' doors. Wine is described as the 'ultimate everyday luxury' with clubs offering access to finest wines.
- Online Wine Sales: Direct online sales through theyountroom.com. Most wine acquired through tasting room, mailing list, wine club, or online store.
- Wholesale Distribution: Limited wholesale distribution in select markets nationwide. As a smaller producer, a portion of wines distributed through trade channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Winery Focus Tasting - $50 per person |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Collective Flight - $50 per person |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Pairings Flight - $95 per guest |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Cheese/Charcuterie Board Add-on - $35 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley 2022 - $140/bottle |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cornerstone Cellars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cornerstone Cellars is a boutique Napa Valley winery that produces and sells small-lot, single-vineyard wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé) sourced from premium AVAs including Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga, Sonoma, and Sta. Rita Hills. The winery sells directly to consumers through its collective tasting room (The Yount Room) in Yountville, a three-tier wine club subscription, and an online store, and it also hosts private tasting events for individuals and groups.
Product overview
Cornerstone Cellars is a boutique Napa Valley winery founded in 1991, producing small-lot wines (sometimes as few as 100 cases) from single vineyard sources across multiple prestigious AVAs including Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga, Sonoma, and Sta. Rita Hills. Their portfolio centers on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as flagship varietals, complemented by Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé. The winery operates The Yount Room collective tasting experience in Yountville, offers wine club subscriptions with three curated tiers, and sells direct-to-consumer through their online store. Tastings are available via two flight options (Winery Focus and Collective Flight) plus seasonal Pairings Flight with food accompaniments. The winery produces approximately 4,000 cases annually and is led by Winemaker Kari Auringer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley Single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley, priced at $140 per bottle (2022 vintage). Represents valley-floor Rutherford terroir with a century of vineyard history.
- Merlot Oakville Station Vineyard Oakville Napa Valley Single-vineyard Merlot from the Oakville Station (UC Davis research) vineyard at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, priced at $95 per bottle (2022 vintage). First released as a single varietal in 2012.
- Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Boutique Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon sourced primarily from a 2-acre block within the 200-acre Ink Grade Vineyard at 1,800–2,400 feet elevation, producing 120–150 cases annually. The founding wine of Cornerstone Cellars since 1991.
- Oakville Station Wines Wines from the Oakville Station vineyard (formerly part of the To-Kalon vineyard and now a UC Davis research facility), including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Source fruit from a site surrounded by the famous To Kalon Vineyard.
- Napa Valley Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon Blended Cabernet Sauvignon combining fruit from Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena AVAs, representing Cornerstone's vision of Napa Valley Benchlands terroir.
- Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) Pinot Noir sourced from Fiddlestix Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County. Made from Dijon clones 4, 5, 113, and 114 at 200–650 ft elevation with chalky soils and a moderate diurnal coastal climate.
- Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma) Sauvignon Blanc (including Musque clone) sourced from Farina Vineyard on the Sonoma Mountain foothills at 550 ft elevation, with cool marine influence and well-drained, nutrient-deficient loam soils.
- Corallina Rosé of Pinot Noir Rosé wine produced from Pinot Noir grapes, offering a lighter style. Released as part of the portfolio since 2009.
- Cornerstone Cellars Wine Club Three-tier wine club subscription delivering wines hand-selected and curated by the winemakers directly to members' homes. Members receive preferred pricing, exclusive access to limited wines, and priority booking for tastings.
- Winery Focus Flight (Tasting Experience) Personalized four-wine flight at The Yount Room in Yountville showcasing current Cornerstone Cellars releases, priced at $50 per person. Available daily 11am–7pm with last seating at 5pm.
- Collective Flight (Tasting Experience) Seated, private tasting experience at The Yount Room featuring wines from multiple partner wineries including Cornerstone Cellars, Conn Creek, and Cain, priced at $50 per person.
- Pairings Flight (Tasting Experience) Seasonally available tasting experience at The Yount Room pairing Cornerstone wines with small bite accompaniments, priced at $95 per guest.
- Private Events & Groups Private event hosting in The Yount Room's tasting salon for groups of up to 24–30 people. Includes corporate retreats, birthdays, and anniversaries, with options for off-site and virtual events.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30+ years in business since 1991
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cornerstone Cellars
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cornerstone Cellars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature2 records
Cornerstone Cellars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Laird Family EstatecoreEarly 21st century partnership for custom crush production at the iconic Laird Family Estate facility. Launched new model in custom crush facilities for small-lot boutique production.
- Dunn Vineyards (Randy Dunn)coreFoundational partnership began in 1991 when Dr. Mike Dragutsky first sourced Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Randy Dunn's Howell Mountain vineyards. This initial purchase of a few tons of fruit led to the founding of Cornerstone Cellars.
- Ink Grade VineyardcorePartnership for sourcing Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from 2-acre block within 200-acre Ink Grade vineyard at 1,800-2,400 feet elevation, producing 120-150 cases annually.
- Oakville Station (UC Davis Research Facility)corePartnership with world-class UC Davis research facility. Cornerstone has been proud partner for over a decade, sourcing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot from the vineyard surrounded by famous To Kalon Vineyard.
- Rutherford VineyardscoreLongstanding partnership for Cabernet Sauvignon from a remarkable and well-respected vineyard on the valley floor with over a century of history, producing classic Rutherford AVA wines.
- Oakville Station VineyardcoreProduces Cornerstone's notable Oakville Station Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Located at foot of Mayacamas Mountains with gravel and sand soils. First vintage of single-varietal Oakville Station Merlot was 2012.
- Coombsville AVA VineyardsminorSourcing fruit from Coombsville AVA for Benchlands blend. Region characterized by fog in morning hours, volcanic tuff sedimentary rock, and moderate cool marine air at 1,900ft altitude.
- Calistoga AVA VineyardscoreSourcing Cabernet Sauvignon (clone 4) from Calistoga's volcanic soils at 300-1,200ft elevation with high temperatures and cool breezes. Region described as northernmost Napa Valley AVA.
- Farina Vineyard (Sonoma Mountain)corePartnership for sourcing Sauvignon Blanc and Musque from Farina Vineyard in Sonoma Mountain foothills with well-drained, nutrient deficient loam and cool marine influence at 550ft altitude.
- Fiddlestix Vineyard (Sta. Rita Hills)corePartnership for sourcing Pinot Noir (Dijon clones 4, 5, 113, 114) from 98-acre Fiddlestix Vineyard at 200-650ft elevation with chalky soils and moderate diurnal coastal climate in Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County.
- Conn Creek WineryminorPartner winery included in Collective Flight tasting at The Yount Room. Cornerstone has hosted joint events such as the Conn Creek x Cornerstone Cellars Retrospective Tasting.
- Cain Vineyard & WineryminorPartner winery featured in The Yount Room Collective Flight tasting experience alongside Cornerstone Cellars.
- The Yount RoomcoreCornerstone Cellars' longtime Yountville home has transformed into The Yount Room, a collective tasting room inviting winery friends like Conn Creek and Cain to expand the tasting experience.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Cornerstone Cellars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Groth Vineyards & Winery: Family-owned Oakville/Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon specialist with a tasting room and wine club. Directly comparable in vineyard sourcing (Oakville, Howell Mountain), small-lot premium Cabernet focus, and family-controlled ownership.
- Schramsberg Vineyards: Historic Napa Valley sparkling and Chardonnay/Pinot Noir producer with a tasting experience and DTC focus. Comparable in small-lot, premium-positioned, tasting-room-driven model, though anchored in sparkling.
- Stag's Leap Wine Cellars: Iconic Napa Valley (Stags Leap District) producer of Cabernet Sauvignon with a tasting room and DTC focus. Comparable to Cornerstone as a single-AVA boutique with tasting-room-led sales and tiered wine club offerings.
- Cliff Lede Vineyards: Napa Valley (Stags Leap District) boutique Cabernet producer with a tasting room, wine club, and DTC model. Shares Cornerstone's small-lot AVA-driven production and tasting-room-led go-to-market.
- Chateau Montelena Winery: Historic Napa Valley (Calistoga) winery best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay with estate tasting experiences. Comparable to Cornerstone in heritage, small-lot Calistoga/Napa production, and tasting-room DTC sales.
- Cakebread Cellars: Family-owned Napa Valley winery producing small-lot Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other varietals with a strong tasting-room and wine club business. Comparable in family ownership, small-lot Napa focus, and DTC emphasis.
- Cain Vineyard & Winery: Small-production Napa Valley winery producing Cabernet and Bordeaux-style blends from a single estate vineyard. Cain is a co-host at The Yount Room and matches Cornerstone's boutique, terroir-driven, DTC-focused positioning.
- Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery: Family-owned, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon producer in St. Helena, Napa Valley, with a long history and small-lot production. Shares Cornerstone's family-owned, terroir-driven, small-production Napa DTC model.
- Conn Creek Winery: Boutique Napa Valley winery focused on Cabernet Sauvignon with a tasting room in Yountville and DTC distribution. Conn Creek is already a co-host at Cornerstone's The Yount Room, sharing customers, real estate, and a similar small-lot, AVA-driven model.
Broad incumbents
- Robert Mondavi Winery: Large, established Napa Valley winery with a portfolio spanning multiple varietals, AVAs, and price points, including tasting-room experiences. Comparable as a Napa DTC/brand incumbent, though significantly larger and more diversified than Cornerstone.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cornerstone Cellars social profiles
Digital presenceCornerstone Cellars compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cornerstone Cellars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cornerstone Cellars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Cornerstone Cellars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cornerstone Cellars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone Cellars
What does Cornerstone Cellars do?
Cornerstone Cellars is a boutique Napa Valley winery that produces and sells small-lot, single-vineyard wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé) sourced from premium AVAs including Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga, Sonoma, and Sta. Rita Hills. The winery sells directly to consumers through its collective tasting room (The Yount Room) in Yountville, a three-tier wine club subscription, and an online store, and it also hosts private tasting events for individuals and groups.
Is Cornerstone Cellars a public or private company?
Cornerstone Cellars is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cornerstone Cellars founded?
Cornerstone Cellars was founded in 1991. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cornerstone Cellars based?
Cornerstone Cellars is headquartered in Yountville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cornerstone Cellars make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer Tasting Room is the primary driver. The others are wine Club Membership, online Wine Sales and wholesale Distribution.
Who are Cornerstone Cellars's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Groth Vineyards & Winery, Schramsberg Vineyards, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Chateau Montelena Winery, Cakebread Cellars, Cain Vineyard & Winery, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery and Conn Creek Winery. Robert Mondavi Winery is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Cornerstone Cellars have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cornerstone Cellars.
What industry is Cornerstone Cellars in?
Cornerstone Cellars's product category is Boutique Winery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAE, Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms), with a secondary code of THAJAGAD, Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours. Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 2080.