# Claudia Castillo Ross

> Claudia Castillo Ross founded San Francisco agency Cross Marketing PR, also known as Cross Marketing & Design, after a career at Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. Her work spans brand communications, nonprofit leadership, estate jewelry and wine. A former Raphael House board chair, she is also an owner and vintner of Ross Ranch in Knights Valley and a Haute Living San Francisco contributor.

- **Role:** Founder, Principal & CEO at Cross Marketing PR; owner and vintner at Ross Ranch
- **Organizations:** Cross Marketing PR / Cross Marketing & Design, Ross Ranch & Vineyards, Double R Family Wines, Raphael House, Haute Living San Francisco, RoseRoss, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
- **Education:** University of California, Santa Barbara
- **Known for:** Founded Cross Marketing PR in San Francisco., Served as Raphael House board chair; currently listed as Chair Emerita., Co-founded estate-jewelry business RoseRoss with Tiffany Rose Cummins.

## Career timeline

- **Before Cross Marketing** — Worked in sales and marketing at Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire.
- **1995** — Said in a 2021 interview that her mother-in-law introduced her to Raphael House in 1995.
- **2003** — Began winemaking with husband Keith, planting 90 Syrah vines in their Lafayette front yard.
- **2006** — In her April 2021 interview, Ross dated Cross Marketing’s establishment to 2006; other listings give 2005.
- **2008–2009** — Recalled using reserves to support a ten-person agency through the recession before rebuilding with an assistant and higher fees.
- **2011** — Moved to Raphael House board emeritus status in November, according to its 2012–2013 annual report.
- **2014** — RoseRoss estate-jewelry business with Tiffany Rose Cummins featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.
- **2018** — Keith and Claudia purchased the 20-acre Ross Ranch property in Knights Valley, according to the ranch’s current history.
- **2021** — Discussed interior design work and her longstanding Raphael House involvement in Haute Living San Francisco.
- **2026** — Published wine and travel writing, including Women of the Vine, in Haute Living San Francisco.

## Achievements

- Founded Cross Marketing PR in San Francisco.
- Served as Raphael House board chair; currently listed as Chair Emerita.
- Co-founded estate-jewelry business RoseRoss with Tiffany Rose Cummins.
- Developed Ross Ranch with husband Keith from a family winemaking project into a working ranch and vineyard.
- Taught marketing and design at FIDM and was invited to speak at UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Published The New Set of Sommeliers: How Influencers are Re-corking the Wine Industry on March 30.
- **2026-04** — Published Polo & Pinot: An Invitation to the “Sport of Kings” in Wine Country on April 4.
- **2026-05** — Published From Vine To Table on May 26 and wine-country travel pieces on May 27.

## Links

- Website: https://www.rossranchwine.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiaross

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/claudia-castillo-ross
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22