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 San Luis Obispo Coast 2022
Ross produced their first San Luis Obispo County Pinot Noir in 2018. This wine carries the newly approved San Luis Obispo Coast appellation designation and is the second vintage to carry the recently approved AVA.The California drought continued with the 2022 vintage as they received only 12 inches of rain during the winter preceding the growing season. On top o f that, we've had similar low rainfall seasons during the two previous winters.
Budbreak occurred mid-March, which is normal, and there was a cool, windy early spring. In general, 2022 was a cool growing season. One or two days in April and June with peak temperatures in the low 90s. Temperatures in July and August reached highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Degree day totals for 2022 were 2582 or a cool low Region II, with foggy mornings followed by sunny afternoons. There were several warm days in early September, which helped bring the Pinot Noir to a good level of maturity. Harvest for this Pinot commenced mid-September at optimum ripeness. 70% Stone Corral Vineyard, 20% Greengate Vineyard and 10% Matthew's Vineyard.
Classic Burgundian methods o f 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 without fining or filtration.
10% Foot-treaded whole clusters, 90% De-stemmed clusters into 4.5-ton open top refrigerated tanks. Select natural yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria. Non-fined and non-filtered.
Ruby red color, transparent and clear. The aromas are reminiscent o f dried rose petals, hints of blueberry compote and forest floor botanicals. A wonderful balance o f acidity, moderate alcohol, fine tannins.
Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Edna Valley Estate 2019
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.
2019 was an exceptional, cool vintage with near ideal weather during the dormant winter months as well as the growing season. The vines received an above average amount of rainfall of 24” during the 2018/2019 winter. This may have led to a later than average bud break with many dormant vines on March 1. Overall, the growing season was cool without heat spikes.
100% De-stemmed into 4.5-ton open top refrigerated tanks. Cultured yeast and naturally occuring malolactic bacteria. Non-fined and light filtration. Aged in 20% new French oak barrels, 80% one to three-year-old French oak barrels.
Brilliant ruby red color. Aromas of cherry, dried rose petals with notes of nutmeg from the French oak barrel. Bright mouth, fine tannins, lively acidity and flavors of small red berries, Earl Grey tea, anise and forest floor.