The Team Behind The Fund
Institutional Precision, Human Mastery
Cork & Vines unites award-winning restaurateurs and strategic partners with deep expertise in operations, real estate, and capital markets. Together, they bring the rigor of institutional investing to the artistry of hospitality—building a portfolio designed not just to impress guests, but to deliver measurable returns for investors who demand both vision and discipline.
Built on Fine Dining Restaurant Excellence. Designed for Long-Term Growth.
Redefining Excellence with The Winery Restaurant Group
Founded in 2007, The Winery Restaurant Group has long embodied the art and discipline of elevated dining. With JC Clow at the helm and long-time partners William Lewis and Chef Yvon Goetz beside him, the group mastered what defines enduring hospitality: resilience, consistency, and a culture of excellence that thrives across economic cycles.
Through the Great Recession and COVID-19, The Winery didn’t just survive; it refined its craft, proving that resilience and quality can coexist even in the toughest markets.
From its iconic Southern California location, The Winery became known for its balance of sophistication and warmth: a place where award-winning cuisine, an acclaimed wine program, and genuine hospitality converged. Multiple “Restaurant of the Year” honors and deep community ties reinforced its reputation as one of the region’s most trusted names in fine dining.
Today, Cork & Vines Fund I builds upon that legacy, scaling a proven foundation through Cedar & Sage, its flagship concept. The team blends the craftsmanship of fine-dining operations with the discipline of institutional investment, creating a portfolio designed for performance and longevity.
From Palo Alto to Corona del Mar, Alamitos Bay, OC Vibe, and Anaheim, each opening extends a tradition defined by endurance, precision, and remarkable guest experiences.
Awards
- Restaurant Of The Year
Orange County Business Journal
OC Concierge Association - Restaurateurs Of The Year
Southern California Restaurant Writers Association - Best Restaurant
Modern Luxery Magazine - 10 Stellar Wine Lists In The U.S.
USA Today - Five Star Diamond Award
American Academy Of Hospitality Sciences
- Five Star Dining Award
Southern California Restaurant Writers Association - Diner’s Choice Award
Notable Wine List
Opentable - Chef Of The Year
Executive Chef & Managing Partner Yvon Goetz
Golden Foodie Awards - Chef de Cuisine Of The Year
Southern California Restaurant Writers Association - Best Wine List
Golden Foodie Award
JC Clow
Founding Partner | The Winery Restaurant Group
Managing Director | Cork & Vines Fund I
For more than three decades, JC Clow has defined excellence in Southern California’s dining landscape. As the founding partner of The Winery Restaurant Group, he has earned a reputation for visionary leadership, operational precision, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
Under his direction, The Winery became a regional icon, celebrated by the Orange County Business Journal as “unprecedented culinary genius”, with thriving locations in Tustin (2007), Newport Beach (2014), and the upcoming Cedar & Sage at Palo Alto (2025).
Before establishing The Winery, JC spent 12 years with Morton’s of Chicago, followed by leadership roles at Sostanza Trattoria and St. Mark’s Grill & Supper Club, where he refined the management discipline and hospitality standards that would define his career.
His record includes 7 “Restaurant of the Year” awards from the Orange County Concierge Association, a testament to a career built on consistency, integrity, and enduring excellence.
William Lewis
Managing Partner | The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
A Level II Certified Sommelier and seasoned operator, William Lewis has spent his career shaping one of Southern California’s most respected wine programs. As Managing Partner of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, he leads the flagship Tustin location and oversees a multi-million-dollar cellar renowned for both depth and distinction.
With leadership experience at Roxbury South, Grafton Restaurant Group, and Morton’s of Chicago, William combines operational expertise with a curator’s eye for excellence. His precision in cost control, inventory management, and guest experience design has become integral to The Winery’s sustained success.
Honored as “Sommelier of the Year,” and recognized repeatedly by Wine Spectator, OpenTable, and the Golden Foodie Awards, William embodies the balance of passion and discipline that elevates the Cork & Vines standard, where craftsmanship meets performance.
Yvon Goetz
Executive Chef & Partner | The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
Hailing from Strasbourg, France, Chef Yvon Goetz (widely known as Chef YG) brings Old World mastery and contemporary vision to every plate. His culinary journey began in the Michelin-starred kitchens of Relais & Châteaux Chewton Glen Hotel and Le Crocodile, where precision and artistry became his hallmarks.
After shaping his craft in the distinguished kitchens of The Ritz-Carlton in Boston, Aspen, and Laguna Niguel, Chef YG brought his signature California regional cuisine to The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, redefining elevated dining in Southern California.
His leadership has earned AAA Five-Diamond recognition, multiple industry accolades, and the title of “Chef of the Year.” Across Newport Beach, Tustin, and Palo Alto, Chef YG continues to set the culinary tone for the brand while balancing innovation with authenticity and ensuring that every guest experience reflects the excellence at the heart of Cork & Vines.
Linda Clow
Director of Marketing | The Winery Restaurant Group
A Southern California native with more than 40 years of hospitality experience, Linda Clow has been at the heart of The Winery Restaurant Group’s success for nearly two decades. As Director of Marketing, she has overseen the growth and refinement of its acclaimed locations in Newport Beach, Tustin, and Palo Alto, ensuring each embodies the brand’s signature blend of sophistication and approachability.
Before joining The Winery, Linda played pivotal roles at some of the region’s most iconic establishments, including The Ritz and Morton’s of Chicago, where she developed a deep understanding of guest experience and brand storytelling.
Working alongside her husband, JC Clow, Linda has helped shape The Winery into one of Southern California’s most celebrated dining institutions, recognized with multiple “Restaurant of the Year” honors and widespread acclaim. Her marketing vision continues to elevate the brand, fostering lasting guest loyalty and positioning The Winery as a benchmark of modern hospitality excellence.
Invest in Experience. Grow with Vision.
Behind every great concept is a team proven to deliver. With decades of experience spanning operations, finance, and fine dining, the leadership behind Cork & Vines Fund I brings the rare combination of operational mastery and strategic foresight.
Their legacy of performance, refined through years of building award-winning brands, now powers a fund designed to scale the same success across new markets.