Adelaida Cellars celebrates 50th anniversary of HMR Pinot Noir Vineyard
SLO County Supervisor Frank Mecham reads a county proclamation for the HMR Vineyard.
Celebration includes groundbreaking for new hospitality center
Adelaida Cellars celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the HMR (Hoffman Mountain Ranch) Pinot Noir Vineyard that was planted in 1964 by Dr. Stanley Hoffman. A ceremony was held Oct. 16 at the historic vineyard, which is considered the oldest producing pinot noir vineyard on the Central Coast.
The vineyard ceremony included several speakers, who touched upon the deep history of the vineyard: Paul Sowerby, national sales director, Jeremy Weintraub, winemaker, and Liam Duggan of the Van Steenwyk family. San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Frank Mecham read a county proclamation for the vineyard in front of the new signage that notes the 50th Anniversary before a toast was offered to the vineyard.
Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, owner of the Adelaida Cellars, greeted guests as they arrived before they loaded into shuttles that made the 10-minute trek to the HMR Vineyard. Notable guests at the ceremony included Dr. Stanley Hoffman and his wife, who planted the vineyard together in 1964 and John Munch, who founded the winery in 1981 and was the original winemaker and partner of the winery. Mike Whitener and Octavio Espinoza, who together have worked and managed the HMR vineyard for over 20 years, attended along with the entire Adelaida cellar and production crew. Other guests included Daniel Daou of neighboring Daou Winery, Robert Haas, founder and partner of Tablas Creek Vineyard, Marc Goldberg of Windward Vineyard and representatives from local historical societies.
Family and key guests in front of the new HMR Vineyard signage. Back row, from left are Debbie Lorenz, Brett Van Steenwyk and Liam Duggan. Front row, from left are Terrie Hoffman, Stanley Hoffman, Elizabeth Van Steenwyk.
A short groundbreaking ceremony for the winery’s new hospitality center followed the vineyard celebration. Concluding the celebration was lunch in the newly renovated winery, which featured all wines made with HMR fruit – 2004 Pinot Noir, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Chardonnay. The winery recently completed renovations on its existing production facility, adding new equipment for greater efficiency in the winery.
“We thought the 50th anniversary would be the perfect time to break ground on the new tasting room; two perfect milestones with one representing our history and the other representing our future,” said Elizabeth Van Steenwyk. She, along with her late husband Don, first purchased property in Paso Robles in the late 1970s. The family has developed plans for a new hospitality center, which will stand next to the existing winery, showcasing views of the Santa Lucia mountains and iconic walnut trees throughout the property. The new building, which was designed by Caron Architecture, will feature a lower level that offers additional barrel storage.
The Van Steenwyk family purchased 419 acres of the original Hoffman Mountain Ranch in 1994 and restored it to good health for its growing wine program. Located in the west hills of Paso Robles in the Adelaida district, the portion that was planted to pinot is considered the oldest producing pinot noir vineyard on the Central Coast. In addition, Dr. Hoffman planted gamay noir, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay vineyards that now belong to Adelaida Cellars.
The Adelaida Cellars team joins the groundbreaking ceremony of the new hospitality center.
About Adelaida Cellars
Adelaida Cellars has pioneered wine making in the Paso Robles region since it was founded in 1981. The winery’s estate includes the legendary HMR Vineyard plus four other distinct vineyards in the west hills of Paso Robles. They include Anna’s, Bobcat Crossing, Michael’s and Viking. Adelaida farms all of its vineyards sustainably; its wines have won widespread acclaim from top writers and wine competitions in America.
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