CRAIG MITRAKUL
With nearly 15 years in the wine industry, the young and talented winemaker, Craig Mitrakul, is making his dreams of hand-crafting his own wines into a reality. His impressive training, varied experiences, and family are the driving force behind Crayelle Cellars.
Craig earned his Bachelors degree in Food Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He did not grow up in a wine drinking family and had no connection to the wine industry until he was a graduate student at Cornell University. There he completed his Masters Degree in Food Science with an emphasis in Enology. At Cornell, he studied under the direction of Thomas Henick-Kling, the Director of Wine Extension for New York State and now the current Director of Enology and Viticulture at Washington State University.
Immediately after completing his Masters degree, Mitrakul began working as a harvest lab technician for Chateau Ste. Michelle at the red winemaking facility in Patterson, Washington. There he gained valuable experience working with several of Washington States top winemakers Charlie Hoppes, Mike Januik, Kendall Mix and Holly Turner. Next, he traveled around the world to work a harvest at Rosemount Estate in Australia. It was there that he developed a love for Syrah (Shiraz) and was exposed to the diversity of winemaking styles for this varietal. The experience of working with grapes grown in various regions of Australia, clearly demonstrated the diversity of wine styles based on growing conditions.
When Mitrakul returned to the states, he began working as a winemaker at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars in New York State. Riesling is the most widely planted vinifera varietal in the Finger Lakes Wine Region. It is considered to be one of the top Riesling producing regions in the world. The knowledge he gained working in this region, is what is propelling him to make exceptional Riesling in the state of Washington, the largest Riesling growing region in the United States.
Wanting to further his wine experience in another cool climate region, Mitrakul left his east coast roots with his wife Danielle. They began to build their new life out west and never looked back. In 2000, he took the position as assistant winemaker at Ponzi Vineyards in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. At Ponzi, he enjoyed helping make world class Pinot Noir. Being so close to Washington and after working in various wine growing regions, he realized there was something very unique about Washington State. He returned to Washington as an assistant winemaker at Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla. In 2004, he moved to the Wenatchee Valley and began making wine for the areas industry visionaries Ryan Patrick Vineyards and Saint Laurent Estate Winery. There he has compiled an impressive list of awards and critical acclaim.
With a growing reputation, Mitrakul established a wine consulting business and has been asked to consult with many local area wineries.
Craig and his wife, Danielle, live in Wenatchee, WA. They have two children, son Gabriel and daughter Neve. They spend their free time together enjoying Washingtons natural beauty by bicycling, camping, hiking, and skiing.
DANIELLE MITRAKUL
Danielle received her Bachelors degree from Rutgers University and her Masters degree in Public Administration from Kutztown University. Before coming a full-time mom, she spent most of her career working in higher education administration. Danielle is Director of Sales and Marketing for Crayelle Cellars, while Craig works his magic in the winery. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her children's schools, cooking, gardening, hosting friend and family gatherings and outdoor recreation.
