Why is that Italy has more than 20 recognized wine regions that remain separate in all discussions about Italian wine? If 2006 was one of the worst vintages on record for Tuscany, then how could it be one of the best vintages on record for Piedmont when less then 260 miles separates the two? The answer lies in the varied microclimates and terroir.

California has one of the most expansive and diversified wine landscape in the world. In comparison the country of Italy is 116,000 square miles, the state of California is 163,707 square miles. With that being said then why would the wine writers and wine buying public allow anyone to pan entire vintages of wine in the state. According to the writers, It seems as though whatever happened in Napa during a growing year happened in Santa Barbara. There is nothing further from the truth. Italy has a larger population, 10 million more than California, which leaves less land to grow grapes, but Italy produces 5.9 million liters of wine to our 1.8 million liters. Part of the reason for this is export market development but the bigger part is due to the integration of wine into everyday life. Here in America we are just beginning to accept this concept and it is through the increased attention by the media, the knowledge of its health benefits and the overall ease at which one can become comfortable navigating through it that breaks down the barriers.

Why all the numbers? Simply put, we are babes in the woods when it comes to wine and Cornell is going to help you understand the path we are on.

Here at Cornell we believe that the emerging wine community here in the Santa Monica Mountains is truly unique, not only because of the incredible terroir “geology” but the philosophies and personalities behind the multitude of growers and winemakers. Our motto is "Drink Local Wine" and our mission is to help this become a reality for those that visit. Our selection of wines may be the most unique offering in Southern California for we are focused on those producers who live right here in our backyard. Come explore the Santa Monica Mountains at Cornell Winery & Tasting room.

• Topanga Skyline Vineyards
• Cielo Farms
• Stafford Wines
• Bodegas Gomez de Malibu
• Malibu Sanity
• Rosenthal Estate Vineyards
• Semler Estate Vineyards
• Malibu Valley Vineyards
• Hoyt Family Vineyards
• Triunfo Creek Vineyards
• Republic of Malibu
• Colcanyon Estates
• Cantara
• The Malibu Vineyard
• Casa Dumetz
• Calabasas Peak Vineyards
• Malibu Rocky Oaks
• Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards
• Divya Wines
• Malibu Solstice
• Montage Vineyards