CEO
Kurt Ammann
Kurt Ammann is a wine industry veteran with decades of experience across some of California’s most prestigious terroirs, but what makes him a natural leader at Vina Robles is his deep commitment to family and a team-oriented management style.
“It’s both an honor and exciting to be a part of a team that is completely committed to sustainability and socially responsible business practices,” he says. “I hope to continue the upward trajectory of Vina Robles as a nationally and internationally recognized benchmark in Paso Robles.”
Kurt joined the Vina Robles team in February 2022, bringing with him a rich history in California wine and agriculture. A Golden State native with roots in the San Francisco Bay area, he holds Agri-Business and MBA degrees from CSU Cal Poly.
In 2003, Kurt began his wine career managing Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars tasting room, where he worked his way up to managing their direct-to-consumer program. He then relocated to the Central Coast with his wife and newly born twins to head Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyard’s direct-to-consumer arm, and later became the winery’s General Manager. Kurt also served as the General Manager of Melville Winery, expanding the brand’s national sales profile while directing winery operations. According to Kurt, the decision to move to Paso Robles and join the executive team at Vina Robles was a natural progression in his career.
“I think it’s hard to argue that there is a more exciting AVA in California currently than Paso Robles,” he says. “Paso Robles is the whole package, offering wine, food, beer, music, stunning outdoor views, and last but not least, maybe the best weather in all of California.”
At Vina Robles, Kurt gets excited about expanding the value we offer to every wine lover. “I want everyone – no matter their background – to say they felt welcomed at Vina Robles and learned something new they could take home to their friends and family.”
His favorite part of Vina Robles is the estate’s integrated approach and commitment to controlling quality at all levels. “We farm the grapes ourselves, we harvest them ourselves, we process them ourselves, we age them, we bottle them. We are selling them. We are what people think of as a traditional winery in every sense, and that’s something rare and wonderful these days.”
Kurt’s favorite Vina Robles wine is the estate Cabernet Sauvignon which he believes is “delicious and just an incredibly good deal.” When he isn’t managing Vina Robles, the Certified Dive Master can most often be found outdoors doing something active with his wife and children.
