Meet Second-Generation Vintner Steve Rossi
Steve Rossi remembers it like yesterday, even though it was over 40 years ago. He would drive out to the historic Santa Margarita Ranch with his father, Rob Rossi. It was a place that his dad dearly loved, and Steve fell in love with it, too. Rob was doing work for the previous owners of the ranch, and his young son got to tag along and roam around the land. And it wasn’t too long before Rob had the opportunity to acquire the ranch with his friends Doug Filipponi and Karl Wittstrom. “I vividly recall when my dad purchased the ranch and brought in the Mondavi family to plant the vineyard under a lease agreement,” Steve says. “ I didn’t know anything about growing grapes or making wine, but I just thought it was great—it was all new and exciting. As Doug Filipponi and Karl Wittstrom became a part of the ranch, it was a great multi-family partnership to be the stewards going forward.”
What Steve didn’t know at the time is that the winemaking life would ultimately become part of his own story. Indeed, within five years, Robert Mondavi Winery’s parent company changed and the lease changed along with it. That’s when Rob, Doug and Karl not only decided to take over the vineyard operations, but to also start their own family winery—which is now 20 years and three generations deep.
Jack of Many Trades, Rob Rossi
Architect, entrepreneur, historic preservationist, developer & dreamer. And with Steve, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Steve is a self-professed lover of “anything mechanical” with a passion for innovation, history, community and hard work. “I remember when I was in school, my first real job was working as a laborer on a construction project that my dad was doing, but I wasn’t working directly for him,” Steve says. “I had to spend $50 on new work boots for this job, and I remember getting a paycheck for $75 after two weeks and thinking, ‘Hmm…that didn’t work out so well.’” Steve went on to carve his own 25-year career path with Lindamood-Bell, an educational company with programs and learning centers across the world. While helping open up new offices, he lived in New York City, Boston, Alaska, Australia and elsewhere. “It taught me a lot and let me see the world, but I always stayed in touch with the family businesses and what we were doing,” Steve says. “Eventually, I decided to ‘retire’ and come work with my pops. It was time.” This means that Steve is today actively involved in all of the family interests, most notably the ranch and Ancient Peaks Winery. “I’ve been able to ride the coattails of my dad, Doug and Karl— they took these big risks, and I’m glad they did, because it’s become a big source of pride and something I’m thrilled to be a part of,” Steve says. “These ‘renegades’ created something special and it is an honor to work together with such a great group.”