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Cathy Corison's Timeline - Check out this glimpse of Cathy’s history, as a trailblazing winemaker, vineyard manager, and proprietor. Cathy dug deep into her personal library to release a handful of big bottles to mark these milestones. Taste your way through her wine journey! 1973 - On a complete whim, Cathy signed up for a non-credit wine appreciation course while majoring in Biology at Pomona College. 1975 - Cathy graduated with a B.A. in Biology, and 2 days later arrived in the Napa Valley. There were only 30 wineries in Napa. In 1976, the Judgement of Paris catapulted the Napa Valley onto the world stage. 1978 - She then graduated with an M.S. in Enology from the University of California at Davis, and worked a harvest internship at Freemark Abbey. That was the first year women ever hauled hoses in the Napa Valley! 1979 - Cathy’s first winemaker position, at Yverdon. 1981 - Hired as the head winemaker at Chappellet, where she made 10 vintages. 1987 - As a young adult, she started to buy grapes and barrels instead of cars and houses, and created the first Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 1992 - Sharing a love of theater, fine wine and food, Cathy married William Martin. He has been an integral partner in the winery ever since. 1994 - Cathy and William’s eldest daughter, Rose Sienna Corison Martin, was born in January, adding love and joy to their life. 1995 - Cathy and William purchased Kronos Vineyard, their first vineyard, and made their first estate wine in 1996. 1997 - Grace Anna Belle Corison Martin was born in June, completing Cathy and William’s lovely family. 1999 - Broke ground for the winery barn, and crushed grapes there that fall. William designed and choreographed the construction. 2011 - Cathy received top honors as the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Winemaker of the Year”, and harvested her 25th anniversary wine. 2015 - Adding to their estate vineyards, Cathy and William purchased Sunbasket Vineyard where they had long sourced grapes. 2015 - Harvested her 20th vintage from the old vines at Kronos Vineyard. 2017 - Cathy and William celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, honoring their decades together filled with winemaking, traveling, music and theater. 2020 - Grace and Rose returned to work at the winery during Covid, much to Cathy and William’s delight! 2023 - Kronos and Sunbasket vineyards were certified organic by CCOF, with Cathy and William’s daughter Grace leading the charge. We have always farmed using these sustainable methods, and are proud to support organics with this certification.