Letter from the owner
What a ride!
As the future of Cornell Winery stands in the balance, it felt like the right time to share its story – start to finish – with the amazing community that has created this magical experience.
First, the pragmatics: It’s time for a change!
As some of you know, my family has struggled with alcoholism which finally led to the tragedy last summer of losing my older brother to suicide. As such events often do, this has left me thinking about my own choices and what future I’d like to create for myself and those in my circle. I have been moving off the idea of serving alcohol for a long time, and the current set of circumstances delivered by the Universe and the County have conspired to advance my timeline!
Sometimes decisions are made for us, and in this case the LA County Planning Committee has informed me that my CUP has expired. This is a random decision as it was granted for 7 years initially and it has magically been extended all of these years, 16 to be exact. I have asked help from Sheila Kuehl, our supervisor, but it has fallen on deaf ears. I just wanted to know why now, and how am I expected to respond to such a definitive and impenetrable wall. We have no complaints in all of the time we have been here, and yet, the system seems intent on taking us out of the picture.
This decision on their part has simply made it impossible for me to find the right person to carry on the torch. I know Cornell has meant so much to so many and my intention has been to sell the business to my Manger Matt as he is newly married with a kid in the oven! I have had to let staff go who have been with me for over 8 years. Not to mention all of the tax revenue we have created for this fine state of ours! We have survived so much – me personally, and us as a community, yet the bureaucracy has no empathy.
I am saddened that such a successful run is being broken for reasons that remain opaque, but I am optimistic about next steps! I can't wait to share them with you.
Now the history, for those who were there and those who weren’t:
Because Cornell has always been more than a business to me, it only seems right to tell the story as a personal journey. This community has become family, and I want you to understand how important you have all been in making Cornell what it has become. So, if you are still reading…
Genesis
In 2004 I was traveling over 200 days a year as an employee of Francis Coppola's. It was a dream job, and I loved it! The only problem was that my work was being redefined through my experience as a husband and step-father. I was so in love with my family and was truly trying to be a better man.
I woke up one day and made my intentions clear, I was going to leave my job and put everything we had on the line, for change! Cornell Winery & Tasting Room, was the perfect way to be home more and create something that would bring my entire family together.
The process was grueling in so many ways as I was not the magician I had hoped. I had decided to try and save money by mastering a confusing process myself. This required reading lots of reference material, one of my true weaknesses, and parsing bureaucratic gibberish. I persevered and in 2007, I opened Cornell Winery & Tasting Room. As I extricated myself from another job in the distribution business, I was finally able to open Cornell and was figuring out how I would market the business.
Reminder, at that time, the Old Place was serving 10 customers in a good week! Tom and Barbara were still operating the place and Morgan was off art directing for his wife's production company.
Cornell was growing quickly as I was so right in my initial analysis! All those $10k bicycles whizzing by were the customers I wanted. My website was gaining traction quickly and I discovered an angel, DeAnne Kemp, to be my first employee!
In 2009 Thomas Mercin Runyon decided to retire as he just didn’t have the energy to continue. Morgan allowed me to use the restaurant to conduct weekend wine tastings as we continued to build Cornell, but I just kept dreaming of one day opening the Old Place again. We cleaned up the place, with Tom’s blessing of course, he would sit in the car as we brought things out and he would give us the nod to either throw it away or store it! Sadly, Tom passed away later that year and next steps were being forced as a closed restaurant has a countdown on its licenses if not used. Morgan and I had become good friends and my understanding had grown as I was spending a lot of time with his mom and dad during my slow build. I told Morgan I was ready to take over the Old Place before he leased it to someone else, which was his first inclination. I was convinced the Old Place could rise like a phoenix with the right plan. Morgan entertained conversations with a couple potential suitors, but in the end, Morgan asked me to take the reigns and make it happen.
I jumped in with characteristic enthusiasm! I hired all the staff, helped develop the menu, develop all the procedures and operation manual for what would be the New Old Place! I brought a renewed vision for Cornell and what this little town could offer. I ran the Old Place for over three years, all while continuing to develop Cornell into what it has become.
In the first year, we made The Old Place the talk of LA, not just the Conejo Valley and Malibu! Ireen Virbillia, LA Times food critic, came in a couple times and eventually anointed us as the top five steakhouses in Southern and the Central Coast of California. LA Magazine noted us as being one of the top undiscovered restaurants in LA. Cornell was cranking along simultaneously, having news crews interviewing me, seeing the magic, and wanting to document the story.
All in all I was able to honor The Runyon Family and help keep their legacy alive here in the Santa Monica Mountains, and for this I find an immense amount of pride and satisfaction.
Descent
A truly mind-boggling time as I started this whole endeavor to be close to my family, but the success and responsibility was sucking me in. My family was so supportive and involved, but it was a lot. Being the front man at The Old Place and owner of Cornell was incredible, but it eventually was tarnished by all the late nights and brewing conflicts at home. I would come home exhausted and would smell like the signature smoke of the operation. Denise would complain and point me to the couch. With Taylor in High School and finding her own identity, my role was really hard to define, and this caused Denise and I to separate and eventually divorce. The saddest and darkest times in my life were ahead of me.
I needed an escape valve. I told Morgan I needed to find a way out as things were quickly becoming too much. I literally sold everything, bought a motorhome and rode off into the sunset. Of course, I stayed long enough to shore up both businesses as best I could. The Old Place had really hit its stride, I pushed Christy to be my replacement and told Denise she could have the winery, suggesting she just sell it and keep the profits.
I traveled around the Southwest visiting friends, meditating and staring off into the desert, trying to reconcile what had just taken place. I was in daily contact with Denise but discovered that her mind was set on moving forward without me. Cornell was struggling and she did not want the responsibility. She could not figure out how to sell it. She asked me to come back, and I did. I only asked her to release any claim on the business, as I did when I left initially. She agreed and kept her word! We have a healthy relationship to this day, as I do with Taylor (who I am so proud of every day!)
Revival
I came back with the intention of rebuilding Cornell and making it stronger than ever, and I did. Every year after that we experienced growth with 2022 being the best year ever! The Old Place found its rhythm, and here I am writing this at Peter Strauss Ranch on the first night for The Old Places return to inside dining.
So many wonderful milestones achieved, and friends made! Morgan and I created a haven for people dying to get out during the Covid year(s). The outdoor space became a welcome retreat for so many local (and not so local) friends.
Couples fell in love and even married right on the property; I have officiated over 40 marriages here at Cornell over the years!
The kids of our friends continued to come work and grow as part of this supportive community, like Matt Morris who runs Cornell and will hopefully carry the torch moving forward.
Lifelong friendships were made with too many of you to list. I am so grateful for everything I got from you and am truly excited to see what comes next!
Sincerely,
Tim "Behr" Skogstrom
805-807-1189 Mobile
[email protected]
As the future of Cornell Winery stands in the balance, it felt like the right time to share its story – start to finish – with the amazing community that has created this magical experience.
First, the pragmatics: It’s time for a change!
As some of you know, my family has struggled with alcoholism which finally led to the tragedy last summer of losing my older brother to suicide. As such events often do, this has left me thinking about my own choices and what future I’d like to create for myself and those in my circle. I have been moving off the idea of serving alcohol for a long time, and the current set of circumstances delivered by the Universe and the County have conspired to advance my timeline!
Sometimes decisions are made for us, and in this case the LA County Planning Committee has informed me that my CUP has expired. This is a random decision as it was granted for 7 years initially and it has magically been extended all of these years, 16 to be exact. I have asked help from Sheila Kuehl, our supervisor, but it has fallen on deaf ears. I just wanted to know why now, and how am I expected to respond to such a definitive and impenetrable wall. We have no complaints in all of the time we have been here, and yet, the system seems intent on taking us out of the picture.
This decision on their part has simply made it impossible for me to find the right person to carry on the torch. I know Cornell has meant so much to so many and my intention has been to sell the business to my Manger Matt as he is newly married with a kid in the oven! I have had to let staff go who have been with me for over 8 years. Not to mention all of the tax revenue we have created for this fine state of ours! We have survived so much – me personally, and us as a community, yet the bureaucracy has no empathy.
I am saddened that such a successful run is being broken for reasons that remain opaque, but I am optimistic about next steps! I can't wait to share them with you.
Now the history, for those who were there and those who weren’t:
Because Cornell has always been more than a business to me, it only seems right to tell the story as a personal journey. This community has become family, and I want you to understand how important you have all been in making Cornell what it has become. So, if you are still reading…
Genesis
In 2004 I was traveling over 200 days a year as an employee of Francis Coppola's. It was a dream job, and I loved it! The only problem was that my work was being redefined through my experience as a husband and step-father. I was so in love with my family and was truly trying to be a better man.
I woke up one day and made my intentions clear, I was going to leave my job and put everything we had on the line, for change! Cornell Winery & Tasting Room, was the perfect way to be home more and create something that would bring my entire family together.
The process was grueling in so many ways as I was not the magician I had hoped. I had decided to try and save money by mastering a confusing process myself. This required reading lots of reference material, one of my true weaknesses, and parsing bureaucratic gibberish. I persevered and in 2007, I opened Cornell Winery & Tasting Room. As I extricated myself from another job in the distribution business, I was finally able to open Cornell and was figuring out how I would market the business.
Reminder, at that time, the Old Place was serving 10 customers in a good week! Tom and Barbara were still operating the place and Morgan was off art directing for his wife's production company.
Cornell was growing quickly as I was so right in my initial analysis! All those $10k bicycles whizzing by were the customers I wanted. My website was gaining traction quickly and I discovered an angel, DeAnne Kemp, to be my first employee!
In 2009 Thomas Mercin Runyon decided to retire as he just didn’t have the energy to continue. Morgan allowed me to use the restaurant to conduct weekend wine tastings as we continued to build Cornell, but I just kept dreaming of one day opening the Old Place again. We cleaned up the place, with Tom’s blessing of course, he would sit in the car as we brought things out and he would give us the nod to either throw it away or store it! Sadly, Tom passed away later that year and next steps were being forced as a closed restaurant has a countdown on its licenses if not used. Morgan and I had become good friends and my understanding had grown as I was spending a lot of time with his mom and dad during my slow build. I told Morgan I was ready to take over the Old Place before he leased it to someone else, which was his first inclination. I was convinced the Old Place could rise like a phoenix with the right plan. Morgan entertained conversations with a couple potential suitors, but in the end, Morgan asked me to take the reigns and make it happen.
I jumped in with characteristic enthusiasm! I hired all the staff, helped develop the menu, develop all the procedures and operation manual for what would be the New Old Place! I brought a renewed vision for Cornell and what this little town could offer. I ran the Old Place for over three years, all while continuing to develop Cornell into what it has become.
In the first year, we made The Old Place the talk of LA, not just the Conejo Valley and Malibu! Ireen Virbillia, LA Times food critic, came in a couple times and eventually anointed us as the top five steakhouses in Southern and the Central Coast of California. LA Magazine noted us as being one of the top undiscovered restaurants in LA. Cornell was cranking along simultaneously, having news crews interviewing me, seeing the magic, and wanting to document the story.
All in all I was able to honor The Runyon Family and help keep their legacy alive here in the Santa Monica Mountains, and for this I find an immense amount of pride and satisfaction.
Descent
A truly mind-boggling time as I started this whole endeavor to be close to my family, but the success and responsibility was sucking me in. My family was so supportive and involved, but it was a lot. Being the front man at The Old Place and owner of Cornell was incredible, but it eventually was tarnished by all the late nights and brewing conflicts at home. I would come home exhausted and would smell like the signature smoke of the operation. Denise would complain and point me to the couch. With Taylor in High School and finding her own identity, my role was really hard to define, and this caused Denise and I to separate and eventually divorce. The saddest and darkest times in my life were ahead of me.
I needed an escape valve. I told Morgan I needed to find a way out as things were quickly becoming too much. I literally sold everything, bought a motorhome and rode off into the sunset. Of course, I stayed long enough to shore up both businesses as best I could. The Old Place had really hit its stride, I pushed Christy to be my replacement and told Denise she could have the winery, suggesting she just sell it and keep the profits.
I traveled around the Southwest visiting friends, meditating and staring off into the desert, trying to reconcile what had just taken place. I was in daily contact with Denise but discovered that her mind was set on moving forward without me. Cornell was struggling and she did not want the responsibility. She could not figure out how to sell it. She asked me to come back, and I did. I only asked her to release any claim on the business, as I did when I left initially. She agreed and kept her word! We have a healthy relationship to this day, as I do with Taylor (who I am so proud of every day!)
Revival
I came back with the intention of rebuilding Cornell and making it stronger than ever, and I did. Every year after that we experienced growth with 2022 being the best year ever! The Old Place found its rhythm, and here I am writing this at Peter Strauss Ranch on the first night for The Old Places return to inside dining.
So many wonderful milestones achieved, and friends made! Morgan and I created a haven for people dying to get out during the Covid year(s). The outdoor space became a welcome retreat for so many local (and not so local) friends.
Couples fell in love and even married right on the property; I have officiated over 40 marriages here at Cornell over the years!
The kids of our friends continued to come work and grow as part of this supportive community, like Matt Morris who runs Cornell and will hopefully carry the torch moving forward.
Lifelong friendships were made with too many of you to list. I am so grateful for everything I got from you and am truly excited to see what comes next!
Sincerely,
Tim "Behr" Skogstrom
805-807-1189 Mobile
[email protected]