Winemaker
Steve Gerbac
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Solvang, California, United States
i. Biography
Steve Gerbac has been head winemaker at Rusack Vineyards in Solvang since 2012, a role that puts cellar work ahead of spectacle. Raised in Santa Barbara, he keeps the wines tied to place and climate, using restraint as the governing tool rather than weight or gloss. In his hands, Zinfandel moves away from the jammy register and into a more traditional lane: cool-climate, savory, and built for balance. That approach gives his wines their shape, with poise holding more value than force.
Coming Up
Today, Steve Gerbac is winemaker of Rusack Vineyards. The 2012 appointment marked his move into the head role in Solvang, and the work since then has stayed close to a local frame. Santa Barbara remains part of the read on the wines, as does a defined preference for Zinfandel that favors savory elegance over sweetness or excess.
Where They Are Now
The 2012 appointment placed him at the head of the cellar in Solvang, where the work has centered on nuance. Steve Gerbac has not chased a louder or riper profile; instead, he has held to a specific idea of Zinfandel that reads as traditional, cool-climate, savory, and elegant rather than jammy. That restraint gives the wines composure and keeps the style from feeling forced, allowing each bottling to unfold with control rather than declaration.
Signature
Steve's signature wines include 2016 Rusack Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County, 2016 Rusack Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, Rusack Vineyards Chardonnay, Rusack Vineyards Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) 2020, and Rusack 2014 Estate Reserve Syrah (Ballard Canyon). Taken together, they show a wide but consistent hand: different varieties, same preference for control and polish. In Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, Gerbac’s name is on wines that keep clarity and structure in view, leaving site and vintage visible in the glass.
Honors
No awards are cited for Steve Gerbac.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Steve
What is Steve Gerbac's current role?
As of 2026, Steve Gerbac is Head Winemaker.
What is Steve Gerbac known for?
He wanted to make a traditional, cool-climate Zinfandel, more savory and elegant than the prevailing jammy style.
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