Al & Cindy Schornberg : Owners
After six years of searching the country, Al and Cindy Schornberg finally settled on the Edgewood Estate in Keswick, Virginia as their new residence. “Since we didn’t move because of a job relocation, the entire country was open to us,” says Cindy. In moving from Holly, Michigan, the Schornbergs sought a desirable place to raise their children and a milder climate, particularly one that was well suited to grape growing.
When Al Schornberg moved to Virginia, he left behind the hi-tech corporate world he created in Michigan and traded it for the lifestyle he had dreamed of since childhood – as a vineyard owner. Having been an entrepreneur most of his adult life, Al was looking for an area that offered the excitement of a burgeoning wine industry. He found that potential in Virginia. Al recalls his grandfather’s stories of working at his family’s winery, Massena Cellars in France, and like his predecessor, his goal was straightforward: “ I just wanted to be able to enjoy a really good wine that I made. There’s something very natural and satisfying about that.”
With the Southwest Mountains as a backdrop, the vineyards at Edgewood Estate create a truly picturesque landscape. In the evenings, Al, Cindy and their two youngest children can be found enjoying a nightly stroll through the vineyards of their 400-acre estate. They can also be spotted on the second story porch of their old manor home watching the sun set over the rows of vines. Al and Cindy’s oldest daughters also enjoy this wine country lifestyle and reside nearby.
Upon purchasing the estate vineyard, the Schornbergs decided to dedicate themselves to producing the best wines in Virginia. The Schornbergs spared no expense in installing top-quality winery equipment, irrigation and root wells. Al and Cindy’s ultimate goal is that within ten years, Keswick Vineyards will be considered one of the finest wineries in the country. Al still holds on to the vision that he has made a reality: the image of himself sitting under an olive tree and sipping his own wine. Just as Jefferson once did at nearby Monticello and as did Al’s grandfather in France, Al is making wine and living his dream.
Stephen Barnard : Wine Maker/Vineyard Manager
Stephen started working in the wine industry at Groot Constantia Winery, the oldest winery in South Africa, as a pourer and tour guide. Through various courses of events he managed to find a position in the cellar as a cellar worker and then eventually became the assistant winemaker there. He studied Enology and Viticulture at Elsenburg Agricultural College. Upon completion of his studies Stephen became the assistant winemaker at Flagstone Winery where he worked exclusively with red wines.
Through the Ohio State Internship program he came to Virginia in 2002 and joined Keswick Vineyards as an intern and held that position until May 2004 when he took the position of Winemaker at Rappahannock Cellars. In June of 2006 he re-joined Keswick Vineyards as the Winemaker and General Manager.
Stephen’s philosophy for winemaking is minimal intervention. He prefers to focus on the vineyard to produce optimal fruit for wine making.. Keswick Vineyards is one of the few wineries that ferments most of its wines without the addition of yeast and do not fine or filter any or their reds since the 2006 harvest. Keswick Vineyards is committed to producing world class wines and are now seeing the potential Virginia, as well as Keswick Vineyards, has to offer.
Some Awards:
- Best White Wine in America at the Atlanta International Wine Summit
- Governors Cup in 2006 with Viognier Reserve
- Governors Cup in 2009 with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Platinum awards at San Diego International for Heritage and Verdejo
- Highest rated Viognier from Virginia by the Wine Spectator
Kris Schornberg : Wine Club Manager
Kris is the eldest daughter of owners Al & Cindy Schornberg and has been with Keswick Vineyards since 2003 after moving to Virginia from Southeast Michigan. Kris was formerly the tasting room manager and has been involved with many aspects of the winery. The rapid growth of the wine club means that she spends most of her time in the wine club office but still enjoys working in the tasting room and interacting with members and guests on a regular basis. You will often see her working various wine festivals or creating new wine labels as well.
Kris works closely with wine maker Stephen Barnard, her brother-in-law, to help select wines for club shipments. She writes the email notifications for wine club shipments and many of the other email communications that members regularly receive as well. With a background in fine arts and creative undertakings, Kris strives to keep things fresh and greatly enjoys feedback from members to consistently provide the best possible quality of service and selection as well as events geared directly to what members request. She is dedicated to learning, experiencing and growing along with her members and hopes to continue to create wonderful memories to share together in the future.
Barbara Lundgren : Special Events Manager
Barbara has more than twenty years of event planning experience; from school events to private estate parties, tours and exchange programs, small stage productions, fundraisers and festivals. During her ten years at Morven Estate under owner John Kluge, she worked with high-end clientele such as the Library of Congress and the Virginia Association of Museums. She led hundreds of volunteers and businesses to build a temporary tent city to host 30,000 visitors, as the first Executive Director of The Albemarle County Fair. She is active in the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, serves as vice-chair of the Agri-Business Roundtable, is a graduate of their Leadership Charlottesville program of 2000, and remains active through the Leadership Charlottesville Alumni Association. She is the founder of the 2007 Virginia Agritourism Conference. She served for three years as the Executive Director of First Night Virginia, Inc. a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s Celebration in Historic Downtown Charlottesville.
Barb is the owner of Barb Wired LLC, an event management and consultation company, founded in 2000. Just becoming a full-time business in 2006, Barb Wired now manages up to 35 weddings and private events annually, including corporate and non-profit events. Barbara joined the team at Keswick Vineyards in August, 2010 as the Special Events Manager, and continues to handle events on and off-site with Barb Wired staff.
A native of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Barb has raised three sons on Gilmers Mill Farm near Ash Lawn; family times are lively with grandchildren Hayley, Samantha and Trenton.