Kaj & Else Ahlmann, Proprietors

Kaj and Else Ahlmann met in 1966 and started taking long nature walks as a pastime. They still do. Natives of Denmark, the Ahlmanns and their four children relocated to Kansas in 1993. Kaj and Else purchased the ranch in 2000 and adopted it as permanent residence when they became empty-nesters eight years later.

Ever since Kaj, as a young boy, helped his granddad on the family farm in Denmark, he has dreamed of growing crops, but it took him a Masters Degree in Actuarial Sciences and more than 30 years in corporate life to get around to it. (See Corporate Bio). Today he enjoys the "re-invention" of the organic growing principles and the land conservation measures he saw on Grandpa Pedersen's farm in the 1950s.

After an engineering career and more than 20 years as a work-at-home mom, Else enjoys life at the ranch. If she is not working on marketing projects, you'll find her roaming the land taking photos, identifying wildflowers, or searching  around abandoned homesteads gathering info for her second book – "Folks who Walked Our Land."  kahlmann[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com; eahlmann[at]sixsigmranch[cot]com

Matt Hughes, Winemaker 

Being a fan of "anything fermented" and possessing an insatiable curiosity prompted the start of Matt’s enological adventure. His creativity and drive are backed up by ten years of hands-on winemaking experience, including positions at Wildhurst Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson, and Vérité Estate working under Bordelaise Vigneron Pierre Seillan. Matt joined the Six Sigma team in April 2009.  His winemaking style is simply to highlight the best traits of each vineyard and season. He and his wife Nancy enjoy the simple pleasures of life on their small homestead farm in Kelseyville.  matt[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com

Susan Mesick, Marketing Director

A native of upstate New York and a dairy farmer's daughter, Susan arrived at Six Sigma Ranch via New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. Along the way she honed her food and beverage marketing skills with a veritable grocery list of clients ranging from the California Milk Advisory Board and California dried plums to Freixenet, Dole, and General Foods. Susan joined Six Sigma Ranch in 2008, relishing the opportunity to spread the word about the ranch's 4300 acres of natural beauty and great wines. When Susan isn't at the ranch, you'll find her practicing yoga or exploring Lake County's great outdoors.  smesick[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com

Christian Ahlmann, VP and Vineyard Manager

After finishing a degree in horticulture at Kansas State University in 2005, Christian worked for a nursery in Copenhagen, Denmark before returning to work in the wine industry. His experience includes apprenticeships at Rex Hill Winery in Oregon and Eagle's Trace Winery in Napa Valley. Christian takes a holistic approach to the vineyard management at Six Sigma by using livestock to manage the vineyard floor and avoids the use of any pesticides or herbicides. In late 2010, Christian and his wife Rachel celebrated the arrival of their first born, son Caleb.  christian[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com

Walt Campbell, Hospitality Director

Walt was born and raised in Pacifica, California. In 1976 an opportunity to teach science and coach football at Lower Lake High School (LLHS), lured Walt and his wife Janet four hours north to Lake County. After 21 years at LLHS, Walt was Principal of Coyote Valley Elementary School for eleven years. Walt joined the Six Sigma Ranch team in July 2009 as director of hospitalilty. His mission: to ensure that every visitor has an enjoyable Six Sigma Ranch experience -- whether opting for a Pinzgauer vineyard tour or simply soaking up the relaxing energy of the 4300 acre ranch and sipping great wines.   wcampbell[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com

Trisha Still, Administrator

Trisha began her career with Six Sigma Ranch in 2002 as personal assistant to Kaj and Else, having spent the previous 28 years in medical office management. When the winery opened in 2005, Trish relied on her medical experience to obtain and manage the winery operation's licensing; she found the experience to be surprisingly similar to navigating through Medicare! Trisha remained in Kansas when the Ahlmann's moved to California in 2007. In addition to the daily financial operations, compliance and human resources, she maintains Kaj's calendar -- a terrific feat many days! Trisha unwinds by spoiling her three cats and running. tstill[at]sixsigmaranch[dot]com