Halter Ranch Vineyard opens new tasting room

Halter Ranch Vineyard recently opened its new tasting room — in a space that can accommodate 200 people.

The more than 6,000-square-foot area includes a main tasting room, an indoor patio, a large back patio and an Ancestor Room — a private room located just off the main tasting room that can be booked for private tastings, said Lisa Schiltz, marketing manager. The winery is located at 8910 Adelaida Road in Paso Robles.

The Ancestor Room commemorates the history of the property and features an original painting of the Ancestor tree — the largest coast live oak on record. The Ancestor tree, estimated to be 500 years old, is located on the vineyard.

The old 900-square-foot tasting room will become a retail area for visitors to purchase picnic provisions.

Various uses of wood, cedar siding and rusty metal roofing were incorporated into the new tasting room with inspiration for the design taken from local rustic cabins and barns. Designing the new space began in late 2014 and construction took about 18 months, Schiltz said. She declined to disclose financial information.

Halter Ranch Vineyard produces about 22,000 cases of wine annually, depending on vintage variation.

Amid preparations for the new tasting room, Halter Ranch Vineyard appointed Schiltz to the newly created position of marketing manager. Schiltz acts as brand ambassador, overseeing all marketing initiatives, according to a news release. She serves as a company spokesperson, hosts VIP guests and works with marketing and public relations firm Solterra Strategies to coordinate all public relations efforts.

Schiltz has 20 years of experience managing marketing operations for large corporations and running her own small business. Schiltz and her husband owned and operated Meze Wine Bar and Bistro in San Luis Obispo, where she acted as manager, chef and chief marketing officer. She has held senior marketing positions working for Fujitsu, Plantronics and Philips, as well as agency work with Google, Apple and Microsoft, the news release said.

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 7:39 PM with the headline "Halter Ranch Vineyard opens new tasting room."