Our Story

Crayelle Cellars was founded in 2009 by Craig and Danielle Mitrakul as a personal pursuit to craft, balance, and place.

Craig Mitrakul, co-owner and winemaker of Crayelle, discovered his passion for winemaking while completing his Master’s Degree in Food Science at Cornell University. Early hands-on experience with Cornell’s wine extension group, followed by work in notable wine regions in the United States and abroad, shaped a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to winemaking. His career includes work at respected wineries such Chateau Ste Michelle, Rosemount Estates and Ponzi Vineyards.

After years of winemaking in Oregon and Washington, Craig and Danielle settled in North Central Washington, drawn by the diversity of vineyards and the exceptional quality of fruit. Crayelle Cellars was created as a creative outlet to handcraft wines in very limited quantities, without compromise.

Crayelle wines are expressive yet restrained—defined by elegance, balance, and longevity. While Crayelle remains one of the smallest wineries in Washington, each bottle reflects a lifetime of experience, a deep respect for the craft and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Today, Craig continues to craft wines for Karma Vineyards in Chelan, Washington, including their Méthode Champenoise sparking wines, embracing the precision and discipline required to produce wines of distinction.