Culinary Institute of America at Greystone logo

Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

St. Helena, CA

private nonprofit

Quick Facts

1995
Founded
Private
Type
300
Undergrad
$38K
Tuition (In-State)
$38K
Tuition (Out-State)

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Master culinary arts in a historic 19th-century winery, once the world's largest.

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone offers an unparalleled culinary education within the walls of a historic marvel. Nestled in California's renowned Napa Valley, this campus provides aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals with an immersive experience, blending cutting-edge culinary techniques with the rich legacy of a magnificent 19th-century wine cellar.

The iconic Greystone Cellars building, completed in 1889, was the ambitious vision of businessman William Bowers Bourn II. Designed with groundbreaking technology for its era, including early use of Portland cement and electrical illumination, it quickly earned a reputation as the largest wine cellar in California, and quite possibly the world. Its storied past as a pioneering winery infuses the campus with a unique character, connecting students directly to the historical roots of viticulture and culinary excellence in America.

Students at CIA Greystone benefit from an academic environment defined by state-of-the-art facilities and expert instruction. The campus boasts expansive teaching kitchens, including a 15,000-square-foot culinary arts kitchen on the third floor designed for collaborative learning, and a 5,000-square-foot Viking Teaching Kitchen on the first floor, equipped with high-end appliances donated by Viking Range Corporation. Specialized learning spaces like a dedicated chocolate-making facility, the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, and the Bakery Café by illy further enhance the student experience, preparing them for diverse roles within the dynamic culinary world.

Key Highlights

  • Housed within the historic Greystone Cellars building, a architectural marvel completed in 1889.
  • Originally hailed as the largest wine cellar in California, if not the world, designed to hold millions of gallons of wine.
  • Pioneering use of electricity, making it the first California winery to be operated and illuminated by this technology.
  • Features a 15,000-square-foot culinary arts teaching kitchen on the third floor, equipped with Bonnet stoves and specialized appliances.
  • Includes a 5,000-square-foot Viking Teaching Kitchen, updated in 2010 with state-of-the-art donated equipment.
  • Offers specialized facilities such as a dedicated chocolate-making facility, the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, and the Bakery Café by illy.

Timeline

1888
Cornerstone laid for the Bourn & Wise Wine Cellar (later Greystone Cellars).
1889
Bourn & Wise Wine Cellar completed, becoming the largest wine cellar in California.
1890
Winery officially named Greystone Cellars.
1894
Greystone Cellars ceases wine production due to the lasting phylloxera blight.
1995
Culinary Institute of America opens its Greystone campus, repurposing the historic building.
2010
First floor redesign completed, including the Viking Teaching Kitchen and a chocolate-making facility.
🏛️
31 Years
of Excellence

Find Scholarships at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Sign up free to discover grants and scholarships you qualify for at this school and thousands more.

Start Your Free Search