Robert Hall Winery Announces New Leadership with Caine Thompson, Managing Director
Paso Robles, CA, October 6, 2020 – Robert Hall Winery is pleased to announce the appointment of Caine Thompson as Managing Director. Thompson joins Robert Hall Winery after three years as President of Rabble Wine Co. and has over 15 years of industry experience.
As Managing Director of the winery, Thompson will work closely with the hospitality, tasting room, wine club, and winemaking teams to evolve the winery’s direct-to-consumer sales, consumer experience, and community relations. Thompson will also work closely with the winemaking team on the winery’s tasting room only wine offerings. Caine will also join the executive leadership team at O’Neill as the company looks to continue its rapid growth in the US.
“I am honored to join the Robert Hall team, a winery with such rich history in the Paso Robles region, and support their continued growth and success,” comments Thompson.
Thompson’s broad experience in the wine industry extends internationally and ranges from General Management at Locations Wine by Dave Phinney in Napa Valley, to Managing Director of the natural and biodynamic New Zealand winery, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, to Managing Partner of New Zealand’s first precision viticultural company, Spatial Solutions.
Paso Robles icon, Robert Hall Winery was founded in 1999. Larkspur-based O’Neill Vintners & Distillers purchased the winery in 2016 and has since made Robert Hall a key focus of O’Neill’s growing portfolio.
“Since the acquisition of Robert Hall, we have made the winery’s premium growth one of the focal points of our long term strategic plans. I am confident Caine’s extensive experience with fast-growing and innovative wine brands will bring the winery to new heights, both regionally and nationally,” comments Jeff O’Neill, CEO of O’Neill Vintners & Distillers. “We could not be more excited to welcome Caine to the Robert Hall and O’Neill family.”
About Robert Hall Winery
Founded in 1999 by the late entrepreneur Robert Hall, Robert Hall Winery showcases the best Paso Robles has to offer. The winery has three estate vineyards in the Geneseo and Estrella Districts, totaling 136 planted acres of fruit. In addition to growing Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Syrah, the winery also sources grapes across the Paso Robles AVA. This provides Head Winemaker Don Brady with a broad range of soils and micro-climates that, together, create optimal fruit for the beautiful wines that capture the essence of Paso Robles.
Brady has been with the winery since its inaugural vintage. Under his winemaking expertise with Winemaker Amanda Gorter, Robert Hall continues to promote the Paso Robles wine region as one of the top winegrowing regions in California. Together, Brady and Gorter craft wines inspired by the pioneering spirit of the winery’s founder and the honest pursuit of The Good Life. Well-Earned. Visit Robert Hall Winery online at www.roberthallwinery.com.
About O’Neill Vintners & Distillers
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 by industry veteran and entrepreneur Jeff O’Neill. The vertically integrated winery has grown to become the seventh largest winery in California with a reputation for producing high quality wines from the North Coast, Central Coast and Central Valley. Through its extensive vineyards and modern production facilities, O’Neill provides premium winemaking services to the industry as well as its growing portfolio of national brands. The company’s national brands portfolio includes Line 39, Robert Hall, Harken, Exitus, Day Owl Rose, Austerity and Intercept. For more information, please visit www.ONeillWine.com.
