While visiting family in Kona, Hawaii, the memorable flavor of single-plantation coffee opened Ryan’s mind to a whole new universe. In 2003, bitten by the “ag-bug,” he discovered the Willing Workers on Organic Farms program which allowed him to learn and work across vineyards in Australia and New Zealand. During that time he bounced around the Hunter and Yarra Valleys before working the 2004 harvest in Mornington Peninsula at Turramurra Estate. From there, travels swept him to Central Otago and Hawkes Bay to prune alongside vineyard crews.
Upon returning to California in 2005, he spent 2 years with Central Coast legend Stephen Dooley, owner/winemaker of Stephen Ross Wine Cellars. Motivated to stretch his education, get exposed to a wide variety of winemaking styles, and work with new vineyard sources, Ryan became assistant winemaker at Red Car Wine Company in 2007. While there, he soaked up invaluable tips from consulting winemaker David Ramey, highly renowned winegrower Ulises Valdez, and sought-after soil scientist Dr. Daniel Roberts.
