Stefan Matulich Joins Alma Rosa Winery as President

(October 2025; Buellton, Calif.)— Bob Zorich, proprietor of Alma Rosa Winery, a leading estate producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhône varietal wines from Santa Barbara County's Sta. Rita Hills AVA, is pleased to announce that Stefan Matulich, a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in California wine and hospitality, has joined the company as president.

"Stefan brings a rare combination of extensive industry experience, deep insight into consumer behavior and a genuine passion for connecting people through food, wine and memorable experiences," says Zorich. "We're thrilled to welcome Stefan to the Alma Rosa team and confident the winery is in excellent hands under his leadership."

Prior to joining Alma Rosa, Matulich's career included a 15-year tenure at Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Spirits in Napa, where he rose from wine scout to CEO. There, he helped transform the company into a nationally recognized luxury brand, introducing innovative spirits programs, modernizing digital marketing and expanding direct-to-consumer initiatives, ultimately driving annual revenue beyond $35 million.

Raised in California's Central Valley, Matulich's earliest food and wine influences came from his grandfather, a home winemaker, the PBS show "Great Chefs," and his weekend visits to Napa Valley, where his father lived. Upon graduating high school, Matulich took a job with a roofing company. While working on a project at Ledson Vineyards in Sonoma Valley, the owner encouraged him to consider a career in the hospitality industry.

Soon, Matulich found a job at Étoile, the Michelin-starred restaurant at Domaine Chandon in Yountville, and quickly realized that it was where he belonged. Food became his first passion, and wine soon followed. Matulich then enrolled at Napa Valley College, studying viticulture, enology and sensory evaluation, while still working in the restaurant industry. Over time, he rose through the ranks at Étoile to maître d' and later helped launch PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena, now also Michelin-starred destination. His next chapter took him into fine wine retail with Dean & DeLuca, where he honed his skills in customer experience and wine merchandising. Most recently, Matulich served as general manager at Twin Rocks Estate Winery in the Sierra Foothills before joining Alma Rosa.

"Alma Rosa has a reputation for quality wines and a strong commitment to sustainability, and it is without a doubt one of the Central Coast's best-kept secrets," says Matulich. "The winery is poised for exceptional growth under Winemaker Samra Morris and the dedicated team, and I'm excited to help write the next chapter."

About Alma Rosa Winery

Alma Rosa Winery, a leading wine producer from Santa Barbara County's Sta. Rita Hills, is dedicated to making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that express the unique terroir of the appellation. Alma Rosa's wines are layered, vibrant and balanced, reflecting the cool climate impact of the Pacific Ocean breezes that are funneled through the east-west transverse mountain range of the region. The winery was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. Today the winery is owned by Bob and Barb Zorich, who purchased the winery in 2014. In 2019 Samra Morris took the helm as winemaker, and in 2025 she was named one of five nominees for Winemaker of the Year by the editorial staff of Wine Enthusiast for the magazine's 2025 Wine Star Awards.

For more information about Alma Rosa Winery, please visit at the link below.