Wine Institute Appoints Steve Gross as Interim President and CEO

Longtime Wine Institute leader to serve in interim role as national search continues 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Wine Institute today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Steve Gross as interim president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026, as the organization continues its national search for a permanent successor to longtime President and CEO Robert P. Koch, who is retiring at the end of the year. 

Gross brings nearly four decades of leadership and institutional knowledge to the role, having served at Wine Institute since 1986. Most recently, he has served as vice president, State Relations, overseeing Wine Institute’s public policy and advocacy efforts across 49 states outside of California. 

“Steve Gross is exceptionally well-qualified to lead Wine Institute during this important transition,” said Robin Baggett, Wine Institute chairman and managing partner of Alpha Omega Winery. “His deep understanding of our organization, the wine industry and the public policy landscape is unmatched. Steve’s steady leadership, credibility with members and policymakers and long-standing commitment to our mission will ensure continuity and momentum as we continue our search for our next president and CEO.”  

Following Koch’s announcement in August of his plans to retire, the Board initiated a nationwide search process. As that work continues, the Board anticipates completing the search within the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2026.

Gross began his career at Wine Institute as a legal assistant and later served as administrative services manager before becoming special assistant to then-President John De Luca in the early 1990s. He was named vice president, State Relations in 2005 and has since led the organization’s state-level legislative and regulatory advocacy nationwide. 

“I am honored to serve as interim president and CEO of Wine Institute,” said Steve Gross. “Wine Institute has been my professional home for nearly 40 years, and I am deeply committed to supporting our members and advancing the interests of the California wine community. I look forward to working closely with the Board, our staff and our members to ensure stability and continued progress during this transition.” 

In addition to his role at Wine Institute, Gross serves on the Executive Board of the Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute and the Board of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB).