Background: I grew up in the upper Midwest and call Minnesota “home”. My mother was a geography professor and dean, and I have two siblings. I attended Mankato State University and the University of California, Davis, to earn a degree in Enology. I spent 10 years making wine in the Napa Valley, two harvests “down under” in South Africa and Australia, before coming to the Edna Valley, where I worked for others for seven years, and then launched Stephen Ross in 1994. I met Paula in 1989, married in 1995, and we have two incredible kids. 

Wine Inspiration: Turning sunlight into wine – I get to make it, and yet it makes itself – all part of the science, artistry, agriculture and magic of winemaking. Really, it is all I ever wanted to do. 

Hobbies: Drinking good wine and enjoying good food, woodworking, hiking, swimming, fishing, and gardening.

What I Do: It would be easier to say “What I don’t do at the winery.” You name it, I do it; from winemaking to wineglass polishing…

Background: I grew up mostly in San Antonio, Texas. My dad was career Army, my mom was a nurse, and I am the youngest of four children. I went to the University of Texas at Austin and earned my BA degree in Finance, with a concentration in Accounting. I had some great jobs in aviation-related and corporate finance for 13 years, for which I am eternally grateful because they brought me to San Luis Obispo. I was able to use my business background to help Steve found and grow Stephen Ross. At the same time, we grew our family with two fantastic children.

Wine Inspiration: I met Steve in 1989, and to fall in love with Steve was to fall in love with wine. I am inspired by small wineries worldwide who passionately and painstakingly produce interesting wines.

Hobbies: Drinking wine (of course), swimming (anytime, anywhere), reading, hiking, and backpacking. I’d like to say travel, but we don’t have time to do much… someday.

What I Do: All the business-side of things. It isn’t as exciting as being the winemaker, but it suits me well :-)

Background: I grew up and still currently live just South of SLO near the Edna Valley. In fact, I live just down the road from Stone Corral Vineyard! I’ve always had a desire to travel the world, so after graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in Wine and Viticulture, my wife and I packed our bags and moved to Australia where I worked harvest in the Barossa Valley. Since then, I have worked on the West Sonoma Coast and in Paso Robles, but now I feel incredibly lucky to work with fruit and wines from the place I call home.

Wine Inspiration: I am a sucker for tradition…I love that in wine there are winemaking techniques and methods that have carried on for centuries. And yet today, there is an abundance of innovation and technology in the industry, which for me, makes it an exciting time to be involved and exposed to the winemaking process. Overall, I just like to make cool, interesting wines with equally cool and interesting people.

Hobbies: All things outdoors from backpacking/camping in the Sierras to exploring different day hikes and secret swimming holes in Big Sur, enjoying good wine and food with my wife and friends, working on my family’s property (a labor of love), and learning about health and wellness, as well as sustainable agriculture.

What I do: Master of all things in the cellar!

Background: I’m from Lancaster, CA and came to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly where I am currently finishing my degree in Mechanical Engineering. My parents came to the states from Costa Rica, so I love visiting as much as possible to see my family.

Wine Inspiration: The more I learn about wine, the more I learn to love it! I originally joined the team here because I would eventually like to own a business in the food and alcohol industry. This opportunity provided me with a chance to gain experience in an industry that I have always been interested in while at the same providing value through skills I have acquired in my hobbies.

Hobbies: Cooking, graphic design, photography, making clothes, and making music. I spend the rest of my free time with my pet bearded dragon, Murdoc.

What I do: I make a lot of the things that you see! I work on this website, email campaigns, social media, and more.

Background: I have been involved in the community of San Luis Obispo for over 30 years. In my many jobs that I've had, my favorites have been working for the Chamber of Commerce and for Stephen Ross. I recently resigned from the Chamber of Commerce; but continue to work at Stephen Ross because I love the wines, and we have an awesome team here. 

Wine Inspiration: Chardonnay is my "go to" glass of wine, but I would never turn down a glass of Steve Dooley's wonderful Pinot Noir. 

Hobbies: Powerwalks, reading, binge watching on Netflix, and reading about, talking about and drinking wine.

What I do: Pour and chat about wine! I keep the tasting room in line and am the first smile when you walk in the door.

Background: I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. I moved to San Luis Obispo in 2020 to attend Cal Poly, alongside my brother, who is two years older than me. I am currently studying Viticulture with a concentration in Enology, and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend a quarter studying abroad in the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain. I am expected to graduate from Cal Poly in the Spring of 2024.

Wine Inspiration: I have always been fascinated by the various wine regions around the world and how they each display their own distinct styles and characteristics. I hope that my enology degree will provide me opportunities to travel and explore these regions while working for different wineries worldwide. Maybe one day I will even get to have a winery of my own!

Hobbies: I love hanging out with my friends, going to the beach, hiking, camping, and gardening

What I do: I pour wines and chit-chat with customers in the tasting room!