Winemaker Ryan Flock began his career while still in high school, working for an icon in California winemaking, Kent Rosenblum and Rosenblum Cellars. Today, he leads winemaking for the most celebrated and iconic premium three-liter boxed wine producer, Black Box. Along the way, he’s helped create and build brands as winemaker at world-class wineries across California.

“Black Box had the challenge of being the first premium, appellation-specific boxed wine,” said Ryan, who joined the brand in 2009. “Black Box eliminated the stigma of the box because of the incredible quality of the wines. Today, we use vineyards and grapes that allow Black Box to rival or outshine wines in a glass bottle, even some at higher price points. These are sophisticated wines that will taste as good on day 21 or day 41 as they did on day one, and that’s an incredible benefit for consumers.”

Ryan is enthusiastic about the future of Black Box, which was acquired by E. & J. Gallo Winery in 2021. “We have incredible support, resources, estate vineyards and grower relationships that allow us to make the high-end wines we know we can make,” he said. “We have the freedom and the latitude to make creative, quality-driven decisions. We are very excited to push Black Box into the future — and consumers are really enjoying what we’re doing. We have a huge opportunity right now to craft different styles and flavor profiles. As winemakers, we get to be innovators. This is our ability to shine.”

A native of Alameda, California, Ryan worked the bottling line and other jobs at Rosenblum Cellars during high school and college. After graduating from San Francisco State University, he returned to Rosenblum, eventually rising to Cellarmaster in his decade-long stint at one of the nation’s most successful urban wineries.

Ryan then moved to Amador County, where he still lives today, to become Assistant Winemaker at Renwood Winery, followed by a role as founding winemaker at Karmere Vineyards and Winery. Later, as a principal consulting winemaker, Ryan helped craft wines for a diverse set of clients from Napa Valley, Lodi, Amador, Sacramento and other regions. In 2009, he joined Turner Road Vintners in Lodi as Senior Winemaker, overseeing a team of winemakers crafting celebrated California wines.  

Early in his career, Ryan said he was motivated by the thrill of earning accolades from peers and critics for the wines he was crafting. Today, he’s equally excited about mentoring and teaching his winemaking team, leading them to success. “We are making something to help celebrate fun, celebrate life and create great experiences. It’s a wonderful place to be.”