Stephen Ross Wine Cellars

Our Stephen Ross story begins with the "Stephen Ross Dooley wine story" in Minnesota, where in my teenage years curiosity in wine led me to make rhubarb and apple wines in the family basement. Things progressed on a nice upward trajectory from that point.

Curiosity evolved into a passion for winemaking, which led to a degree in Enology from The University of California, Davis; then 10 years of winemaking (all vinifera from here on out, thankfully) in the Napa Valley, two southern hemisphere harvests, and seven years in the Edna Valley before I launched my own brand, Stephen Ross.Paula joined the team soon after, and we hired the first employee in 2005.

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.

Stone Corral Vineyard is our Estate vineyard, which we planted in 2001 exclusively to several Pinot Noir clones and rootstocks covering a rolling southeast facing hillside in the Edna Valley. The Edna Valley is located in the South Central Coast of California a few miles southeast of the town of San Luis Obispo.

Join us for a seated tasting in the Tasting Room that we missed missed this last year, or outdoors upon request. Reservations recommended, but we generally have room for walk-ins. Visit us at our urban winery in San Luis Obispo where you can taste a flight of small production, limited release Pinot Noirs and other wines mere steps from the cellar where they are created.

We skip the summer for wine club releases because of the heat, the next shipment will be in late September/October. An evening to thank and celebrate our Barrel Adopter members who's support of our winery has been crucial since we started in 1994.

This is an event exclusive to the members of the Adopt-A-Barrel program, it is a sit down dinner full of wine from our current vintages, precious library, and future releases, all along with a full course meal.An early evening tasting of three vintages of Stephen Ross Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard and Chardonnay, Edna Valley.