About

In 1960, Stephen Russell became one of the first graduates from UC Davis’ now world-renowned Enology program. This very first graduating class consisted of only himself and a Franciscan Monk. With no family ties or connections in the wine industry, Russell soon became the first formally trained Enologist to be hired by the Gallo family. Wine making, however, left him jaded and in his 20’s he decided to leave the industry. Steve returned to school for his PhD and pursued an academic career in cancer research. Here he rose to become the head of the cancer program at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Despite a successful and rewarding career in academia, in 2001 Steve and his wife Mary returned to California and founded Prodigal Wines. The “prodigal son” had returned. Nestled in the hills of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, Prodigal wines makes some of the finest Pinot Noirs of the region. The sloping vineyard is covered by clones 115, 667 and 777. With a focus on limited production and matching clonal selection to each vineyard block, Prodigal continues to make world class wines. The ‘prodigal son’ had returned!