Stephen Ross Wine Cellars

San Luis Obispo, California, USA

Stephen Ross Dooley is the founder, winemaker and, along with his wife, Paula, the owner of Stephen Ross Wine Cellars. Stephen started the winery in 1994 in San Luis Obispo, California where he and his crew also make the Flying Cloud line of wines. Steve is a UC Davis Enology graduate with extensive winemaking experience gained in 10 years spent at Napa Valley’s Louis Martini Winery and seven years at the Chalone Wine Group’s eponymous Edna Valley Vineyard. In his early years, Stephen also served winemaking stints in Australia and South Africa. His passion for winemaking began as a teen in the basement of his mother’s house in the Minnesota River valley, fermenting all kinds of fruit. Decades later, his passion for the artistry, science and focus required for premium grape growing and winemaking continues. Along with his own estate fruit, his commitment to sourcing the best fruit and making the best wines possible never wanes and has established him as an icon on California’s Central Coast.

Our Selections

Stephen Ross Chardonnay Edna Valley 2022

The Edna Valley is located on the South Central Coast of California next to the town of San Luis Obispo and roughly five miles from the Pacific Ocean. The valley spans in a northwest-southeast orientation, open to the Pacific to the West. It lies in Southern California at 34 degrees latitude and receives an abundance of light from a “directly overhead” sun. The climate is strongly influenced by the regular summertime afternoon sea breeze, coming from the Pacific. This is a unique climate of cool air temperature and intense sunlight. Classic Burgundian winemaking methods were used in making this wine; barrel fermentation, malolactic fermentation, lees stirring, and sur lie aging for nine months in French oak barrels. Grapes were whole cluster pressed in a membrane press, juice chilled and settled overnight before being put into barrel to ferment.

The California drought continued with the 2022 vintage as we received only 12 inches of rain during the winter preceding the growing season. On top of that, there was similarly low rainfall during the two previous winters. Budbreak occurred mid-March, which is normal, and it was a cool windy early spring. In general, 2022 was a cool growing season with no heat spikes of note. One or two days in April and June with peak temperatures in the low 90s. Temperatures in July and August reach highs in the upper 70s to low 80s with foggy mornings followed by sunny afternoons.

Pale straw color. The aromas are uplifting and expressive showing fresh cut apple, pineapple, and brioche. The mouth has impeccable balance with a rich midpalate, just enough acidity for brightness, lingering flavors of nutmeg spiciness and apple orchard fruit notes, a hint of toastiness from the oak, and a long lingering finish.

Fruit sourced from the following vineyards: Greengate (65%),  Davenport Creek (16%), Orcutt Road Ranch (11%), and Bee Sweet (8%). Harvested by hand on September 12, 13, 26, and October 11, 2022. Aged for nine months in oak. 100% barrel fermented and 100% malolactic fermentation. 17% new Tonnellerie Sirugue French oak barrels and 83% one to three-year-old French oak barrels.

13.8% Alc., 3.32 pH, 6.04 g/L T.A

Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Edna Valley Estate 2018

Stephen and Paula Dooley planted their estate Stone Corral Vineyard in 2001. The vineyard is planted 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. The valley spans in a Northwest to Southeast orientation and is open to the Pacific Ocean to the West; it lies in Southern California at 35 degrees latitude and therefore receives lots of sunlight from a “directly overhead” sun. The climate is strongly influenced by regular summer-time afternoon cool breezes from the ocean.

This Pinot Noir was 100% de-stemmed into 4.5-ton open top refrigerated tanks with indigenous yeast. The wine completed malolactic fermentation and remained in barrel for 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels and 80% one to three-year-old French oak barrels before bottling with no fining and only a light filtration.

The Edna Valley Pinot Noir features a beautiful deep ruby red color that is both transparent and dense. Bright notes of fresh rose blossom, some cedar forest and dried cherry aromas. Youthful, with a good balance of acidity and moderate alcohol, ripe blue fruit notes on the palate, lingering fine tannins on the finish.

13.7% Alc., 3.6 pH, 5.78 g/l acidity

“Dark, shimmering garnet. Highly perfumed scents of fresh red and dark berries, allspice and rose oil; a bright mineral flourish adds vivacity. Fleshy, expansive raspberry, cherry and boysenberry flavors show excellent depth as well as energy, and no rough edges. Finishes juicy, appealingly sweet and very long, with lingering cherry and floral nots and sneaky, harmonious tannins. 92 Points” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com Jan, 2021

Stephen Ross Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo 2020

Classic Burgundian methods of winemaking were used in making this wine; open-top stainless steel fermenters, punch downs by hand, pressed with a modern stainless steel basket press, aged in French oak barrels and put into bottle with a clarifying filtration. The Pinot comes from 78% Stone Corral Vineyard, 13% Spanish Springs Vineyard, and 9% Greengate Vineyard23% new French oak barrels, and 67% one to four- year-old French oak barrels.

First produced in 2018, this wine will carry the newly approved San Luis Obispo Coast appellation starting with the 2021 vintage. In terms of the climate in the Edna Valley, there were low rainfall totals of 15 inches for the 2019/2020 winter preceding the growing season. We experienced moderate spring and summer temperatures and projected an average size crop. There were a couple of minor heat spells, August 14 – 22 (highs in the mid-90s), September 5 – 7 (peaked at 117 on 9/6) and a small amount of smoke during the early stage of harvest from the Northern California fires. Despite this we made beautiful wines in 2020. They show good concentration of ripe flavor, lush full body, and low acidity...showy and easy to drink..

Brilliant dark ruby garnet color. Dried rose petals, anise, Earl Grey tea notes and hints of raspberry preserves. Nice rich mouth with fine tannins, firm acidity and lingering candied orange peel, black pepper, and mushroom flavors.

13.5% Alc., 3.70 pH, 5.93g/L T.A