Keys to the Coast: An afternoon to remember at Robert Hall Winery
By Donna Polizzi
–Discovering Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles was a fascinating experience. When I first saw the winery and vineyard it made me feel as if I were far away from home on vacation in Tuscany.
Donna Polizzi is a regional travel expert and founder of Keys2TheCoast.com, a free travel resource that gives honest recommendations based on personal experiences to help uncover local treasures. Wine, dine, explore and more on the California Central Coast.
Robert Hall and his family went on a trip to Southern France in the 1970’s and their passion for wine began. This world-class winery boasts a state of the art hospitality and wine tasting room on 150 acres of beautiful rolling terrain, where fifty percent of the acres are cabernet grapes along with19 other varietals. All of the reds have won gold metals.
I could have stayed all-day and basked in the elegance of this intimate place. The view is magnificent from the Garden Terrace. Floral gardens, fountains and magnificent reflecting pools are the perfect place to enjoy excellent wine in a peaceful setting.
The tasting room is a one of a kind, warm and friendly place. You can see 90-degree views of the wine country through windows that are 13 feet high. The ornate arched wrought iron doorways and massive one-ton chandelier were hand made in the tasting room before the vineyard manager, Richard Raper, completed construction on the premises. The tasting room’s bar is an inviting place made of cherry and mahogany wood.
Don Brady has been the winemaker for fourteen years and according to results of the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, has the knack for consistently creating award winners. The 2014 Rose de Robles was a Sweepstakes Winner. It was the best rose in the competition. My favorite was the 2013 Cuvee de Robles, which won a double gold award– a unanimous vote by a five-member judging panel. The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc took the gold, and it’s no wonder, the pear dry finish is something to savor. I could go on and on. An impressive twelve wines received metals at this competition. The San Francisco Chronicle wine competition is the world’s largest competition of American wines.
Robert Hall passed in October of 2014 and Margaret Burrell Hall owns the winery today. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Margaret and her passion still remains. Her eyes lit up when she told me about the day that she and Robert purchased the land and how there was nothing there but dirt. She and Robert were hands-on building their dream, designing the production facilities and winery.
Robert Hall passed in October of 2014 and Margaret Burrell Hall owns the winery today.
Twenty-six feet below ground are 19,000 sq. ft. of beautiful caves that look like distressed granite. This cool sanctuary is where 4,000 premium French oak barrels have matured Robert Hall wines to award winning status. I cannot adequately describe the uniqueness and stillness of these caves.
After the tour, Margaret had to twist my arm to try the Orange Muscat from her vineyard. It was a sweet way to end my afternoon and of course I had to take a bottle home. So much about Robert Hall Winery will lure me back again and again.
Paso Robles is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the center of the Central Coast Wine Region. You simply must visit Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, at 3443 Mill Road off of HWY 46 East. After all, It’s a dream come true.
