Our Team

Tim Stevens
Our Founder

My wine journey began 30 years ago while working at my first small company. I worked with our only sales executive at the time (hey John!) to sign up new customers. John would buy me a bottle of wine after each new signing. Now, at this time in my life, I know nothing about wine. And, more fundamentally, I have nowhere to store wine. He ignored my pleas to him to keep the wine and celebrate the wins with his wife (hey Cheri!). But we were good at signing new customers and had a lot of fun. In short order, we had two dozen customers, and I had two dozen bottles of wine lying on my dining room floor. I mentioned to John that perhaps it was time for him to stop buying me wine, and his response was to bring me a Wine Enthusiast catalog with the wine refrigerator section flagged, with a specific model on hold for me to buy. Okay, not what I was thinking, but I leaned into it. I bought the wine refrigerator. I bought and read “Red Wine for Dummies” and “White Wine for Dummies”. I started experiencing a lot of different wines and regions. I learned the world of wine is amazing, the people who enjoy wine are fascinating, the conversations are deep and meaningful, and the magic and experience are transcendent. And now here I am, 30 years later, learning and experiencing more every day, and making the wines I choose to drink every night. I am humbled and excited to be on this phase of my journey, and even more honored to share the journey with a phenomenal team and group of members who bring me joy I cannot put into words.

Ryker Wall
Our Winemaker

For Ryker, food and beverage have always been integral to his character. He can remember making "cooking shows" with his little sister when they were growing up in Southern California and experimenting in the kitchen constantly. He attended Cal Poly in SLO and studied Kinesiology and Religious Studies while also competing as a triathlete, and during breaks would go back home where his parent's neighbors would bring over bottles of wine. Having worked as a barista and getting into coffee, wine was a natural transition, and by senior year knew he wanted to work in that industry.

After college, his girlfriend at the time (now wife) went to Miami to study to become a Physician Associate. He jumped into working at restaurants as a Sommelier and Manager there. They knew they wanted to make it back to the Central Coast, and so when she was done, made the move. Ryker started working at Denner Vineyards under the tutelage of Anthony Yount where he remained for three years. He is currently the winemaker at Cordant Winery as well as has his own brand, ídola wine co.

"Wine for me is a spiritual practice. It is self-expression. It is an artform. Instead of using our ears and eyes, we are using our nose and mouth. Wine represents so many different things to so many different people and has the ability to translate pure intention to the ones drinking it."

Tyler Dartnell
Our Manager of Member and Winery Experience

Tyler grew up in Northern California’s Bay Area before heading to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Systems Management with a focus in Plant Science. Following graduation, he completed a grape harvest here on the Central Coast, deepening his interest in the wine industry before spending a couple of months in Indonesia with the goal of testing his surfboard designs and honing his painting passion. His path crossed with Misty Oaks founder Tim Stevens during his return to Paso Robles, where he was immediately drawn to the vision and authenticity behind the brand. Tyler brings a creative approach to everything he does—whether it’s building a surfboard, a watercolor painting, or contributing to a wine label. His original artwork is woven into the identity of Misty Oaks, reflecting a shared love for community, craftsmanship, and the Central Coast landscape. With a lifelong passion for surfing and a growing dedication to visual art and winemaking, Tyler sees wine not just as a product but as a medium for storytelling, connection, and creativity.

Ellen Frost
Our Community Mom

Born in Flushing, New York, Ellen moved to Los Angeles at the age of ten, setting the stage for a vibrant life filled with diverse experiences. Over the years, she built a successful career that spanned retail, manufacturing, and aerospace—focusing on human resources and planning employee activities, where her organizational skills and people-first mindset truly shone.

After retiring, Ellen discovered a new passion: raising guide dog puppies. She proudly raised several successful working dogs for the visually impaired, describing it as one of the most rewarding and fun parts of her retirement.

In 1996, Ellen and her husband bought land in Paso Robles, back when the area boasted just 30 to 35 wineries. The property came with one unexpected resident—a giant steer. The previous owners, not wanting to upset him, asked if he could stay. He did, happily, and the ranch was affectionately named Los Venados in honor of the many white-tailed deer that roamed its open spaces.

Ellen quickly embraced Paso's welcoming, down-to-earth lifestyle. She developed a love for local wines, formed friendships in tasting rooms, and relished being part of the community’s growth and transformation. Unlike other wine regions that often feel formal, Paso has always kept its friendly, farming-rooted charm—and Ellen has loved every minute of it, whether meeting new residents or chatting with curious visitors passing through.