There’s something distinctly Texas about Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits. From its Hill Country roots and locally sourced ingredients to the independent spirit behind the company itself, Ranch Brand was built to do things a little differently.
For co-founder Weston Stone, that philosophy began taking shape at an unlikely time: the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stone and co-founder Christopher Ware launched Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits in 2020, when much of the hospitality and beverage industry was navigating uncertainty. Rather than waiting for conditions to improve, they saw an opportunity to get to work.
“We started during the pandemic, which was difficult, but it was also a time when other suppliers were not in the market,” Stone says. “By going out and calling on the market, we showed that we were not sitting on the couch waiting for people to contact us.”
That willingness to show up mattered. Stone says the people who were still working during the pandemic appreciated seeing the new company making the effort to build relationships, face to face.
It was an unconventional beginning, but perhaps a fitting one for a company grounded in an independent Texas identity.
Today, Ranch Brand’s portfolio extends across wines and spirits, including vodka, gin and bourbon. Among its signature offerings is Ranch Vodka, a grain-to-glass spirit made from Texas corn and distilled in the Hill Country. The vodka is copper-column distilled, a process designed to create a smooth spirit without relying on filtration.
For Stone, quality begins with what goes into the bottle.
“What sets us apart is the limestone water of the Hill Country and using only the best ingredients, which gives our vodka a very smooth finish,” he says.
That focus carries throughout the spirits portfolio. “All of our spirits are very elevated in taste and approachability,” Stone says. “We over-deliver on both proof and price point.”
With more than two decades in the wine and spirits business, Stone’s experience has given him a clear perspective on how he wants Ranch Brand to operate and, equally important, what he wants to avoid.
“I have a Ph.D. in what not to do,” he jokes. “I have worked in this business for 26 years and have seen many mistakes.”
Ranch Brand is also a member of the Clean Wine Initiative, which emphasizes ingredient transparency, sustainable farming practices, and traditional winemaking without additives, sweeteners, or dyes.
For consumers, Stone says that means knowing more about what is actually inside the bottle.
The result is a company that combines an unmistakably Texas personality with a serious approach to its products. Ranch Brand has grown from a business launched during one of the industry’s most challenging periods into a vast portfolio and a tasting room in Wimberley, where guests can experience the brand firsthand.
And while the portfolio may continue to grow, the foundation remains straightforward: good ingredients, thoughtful production, and the willingness to show up and do the work.
For Stone, that approach has been part of Ranch Brand from day one.
RanchBrands.com | @ranchbrandwineandspirits
“What sets us apart is the limestone water of the Hill Country and using only the best ingredients.” - Weston Stone