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 grew up in North County San Diego and came to San Luis Obispo in 2020 to pursue my education at Cal Poly. There, I earned my B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Event Planning and Experience Management. Since graduation, I’ve worked in multiple areas of the hospitality and wine industry throughout SLO County.

Wine Inspiration: Since moving to SLO, I’ve been introduced to wine in a whole new way. I began to fall in love with the craft and its nuances along with its ability to bring people together and create community. There’s nothing better than a shared bottle with friends!

Hobbies: I love to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s surfing, skiing, yoga, or a nice walk. I also love camping, traveling, reading a good book, eating delicious food with the people I love, and enjoying music at live concerts.

What I do: All marketing, creativity, and communication aspects of the winery.

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: My wife and I moved to San Luis Obispo County in 1986 and were introduced to the local wine industry through her cousins Yvonne and John Niven. We became acquainted with Stephen Ross through friends who were barrel adopters and became barrel adopters ourselves soon thereafter. We love the wine and the people, so when I was contemplating retirement, I spoke with Paula about helping in the tasting room as part of my recovery program from being a lawyer. Needless to say, I have never been happier going to work in my life.

Wine Inspiration: I love good wine and talking to people who share that appreciation. Nothing is better than opening a bottle of Steve’s Pinot Noir and sitting down with friends for a leisurely conversation or meal.

Hobbies: I love spending time with my kids (2) and grandkids (3), traveling with my sweetheart, hiking, and enjoying the natural beauty of SLO.

What I Do: I pour wine and talk with old or new friends about the region, the vineyards, the winemaking process, and whatever else is on their minds.

Background: I am originally from Salinas but moved to San Luis Obispo in 2019 to pursue my education. I attended Cuesta College before transferring to Cal Poly, where I earned my B.S. in Wine and Viticulture. During my time at Cal Poly, I had the incredible opportunity to work on campus producing Cal Poly’s wines as part of the fall production team, an experience that further solidified my passion for winemaking.

Wine Inspiration: What I love most about wine is its ability to bring people together. Whether it’s chatting with friends, connecting with fellow wine lovers, or learning from winemakers, wine fosters meaningful conversations and shared experiences. Growing up, I always dreamed of being a scientist, and winemaking allows me to combine that curiosity with creativity.

Hobbies: In my free time, you’ll often find me at a concert with friends, exploring nature, or building a new LEGO set.

What I do: I pour wines and chat with guests about their unique flavors, helping everyone find a wine they love.