In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Claudia Ross, Vintner & Managing Partner at Ross Ranch and Vineyards.
About Claudia Ross
Claudia Castillo Ross is the visionary owner and managing partner of Ross Ranch and Vineyards, where her passion for winemaking and dedication to quality come together beautifully. With over 20 years of experience that began in her garage in Lafayette, California, Claudia’s journey into the world of wine started with the planting of 90 vines in front of her home. A California native and UCSB graduate, Claudia spent years building a successful career in public relations and luxury branding, founding Cross Marketing and serving as a director for Harper's BAZAAR and Marie Claire, where she worked with some of the world's most iconic luxury brands. Today, she and her husband, Keith, personally farm their vineyards, craft small-lot wines, and cultivate a true farm-to-table experience at Ross Ranch, combining sustainable agriculture, thoughtful winemaking, and a passion for sharing the beauty of Sonoma County wine country.
About Ross Ranch Vineyards
Keith and Claudia Ross didn’t set out to build a winery. They set out to build a life together. In 2018 they purchased Ross Ranch in Knights Valley, Sonoma County — 20 acres of volcanic soil, ancient oak trees, and a dream that had been years in the making. Their winemaking journey began together in 2003 with 90 Syrah vines planted in their Lafayette frontyard. Side by side they built a garage winery from scratch — blending, bottling and corking every case by hand, their kids part of every harvest. When they found Ross Ranch they knew it was something special. Together they cleared the land, planted the vines, built the fences and started their herd with just two Black Angus cows — Elizabeth
and Taylor. That herd has grown into a thriving family of its own, just like everything else at Ross Ranch. Today it’s still just the two of them — no ranch hands, no outside winemaker. Keith and Claudia do everything together. Pruning. Drop thinning. Harvest. Blending. Every acre of this property has their fingerprints on it. That’s what makes Ross Ranch wines different. Every bottle carries the passion of two people who built something real with their own hands
And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!