Winemakers

Ross Cobb & Katy Wilson

The winemaking duo of Ross Cobb and Katy Wilson earned a reputation for collaborating to craft some of the most complex and sophisticated wines in Sonoma County, with a focus on exemplary Pinot Noir. We were delighted to have them join Anaba during the 2014 harvest and look forward to sharing their wines with our guests for many vintages to come.  Their hard work and dedication to producing world-class Rhone and Burgundian varieties drive our point forward -- we’re dedicated to making the very best wines in the region.

ROSS COBB, Winemaker

While earning a degree in biology at UC Santa Cruz, Ross Cobb began helping his father plant a vineyard on the Sonoma Coast.  Working in the vineyard on weekends and during the summers, he fell in love with the grapes growing process and switched his major to agroecology and sustainable agriculture. Upon graduation, Ross launched his career at Ferrari-Carano and followed with stints at Bonny Doon and at Williams Selyem. It was at Williams Selyem that Ross was able to work alongside Pinot gurus Bert Williams and Bob Cabral and where he was able to work with grapes from the very vineyard he helped his father plant.

Ross joined Flowers Winery in 2000, refining his approach to Pinot Noir and taking the reins as winemaker in 2004. In 2010 he brought his talent to Hirsch Vineyards where he crafted some of the finest, most expressive Pinot Noir the region produces. He continually strives to expand his knowledge in both the vineyards and winery. He’s travelled to France ten times, meeting with more than 100 winemakers. All of this has led to his signature style of elegance, balance and refinement.

KATY WILSON, Winemaker

Katy Wilson’s road to winemaking began at 18 years old while studying at Cal Poly San Luis Obsipo. Growing up on a walnut orchard, it seemed natural she would pursue a career in agriculture. During her Agricultural Business 101 class, she realized that a career in wine would combine her agricultural interests with her creative and scientific talents. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in Wine & Viticulture, as well as in Agricultural Business.

Katy began her career as a harvest intern at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos making Pinot Noir before heading down under to work for Torbreck Vintners in the Barossa Valley where she made wine from some of the oldest vines in the world.  After stints in Napa (at Joseph Phelps) and New Zealand (at Craggy Range) she ultimately landed at Flowers Winery where she worked her way to assistant winemaker, with Ross Cobb at the helm as head winemaker. Rounding out her experience, Katy spent five years at Kamen making distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

In 2012 Ross and Katy’s shared attention to detail, devotion to the land and passion for producing elegant Pinot Noir ultimately encouraged them to form a partnership - crafting some of the finest wines from Sonoma. Individually, they have their own successful eponymous wineries, Cobb Wines and LaRue Wines. Together, we are delighted to have them guiding our wine program here at Anaba Wines.