The story begins in Dallas, Texas In 2014. Up until then, Rob had not found a wine that appealed to his palate. His good friend at a nearby wine bar helped him find his love of wine, his favorite being wine produced from vines that had endured some level of stress – either old vines, dry farmed vines or vines grown at high elevation. In 2016, Rob had the opportunity to spend several weeks working harvest in the famed Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. He worked along-side an amazing young winemaker, Erica Stancliff, and through this process discovered that he didn’t need to wait until he retired to own his own vineyard and make wine, he could buy grapes directly through relationships with growers. In 2017, he and Erica collaborated to create the first vintage of Stressed Vines Cellars, sourcing grapes from areas best known for their elevation, age and soil composition, producing wine from these “stressed” vines. It is said that stressed vines make the best wine, resulting in a smaller quantity of higher quality grapes, and with every vintage that saying gains more and more truth. Inspired by some of the most amazing wines he has had the pleasure of tasting, Rob’s winemaking journey has been a true adventure that began one sip of wine at a time, lovingly produced from some of Northern California’s most amazing wine regions
