Enjoy a Fly-in Winery Stay at Paso Robles Halter Ranch – The Only Fly-In Winery and Vineyard in the World

Are you looking for a great couples’ vacation where you can fly in, stay for a few days, and enjoy some local wine in a beautiful location? If you are, you might want to consider flying into the Halter Ranch in Paso Robles, CA. The Halter Ranch sits on 2,700 acres, with 237 acres dedicated to organic grape growing. In fact, that was the entire goal of the current owner, Hansjörg Wyss, when he purchased the property in 2000. He wanted to create a sustainable, completely organic vineyard and winery, and he’s succeeded in his mission. Today, guests can enjoy the organic wine and a plethora of amenities, including an airstrip, pilot cottages, and winery tours. Let’s take a look at what makes this winery and vineyard so amazing.

Halter Ranch Air Strip (89CA)

The first amenity that makes Halter Ranch so amazing is that it has its own airstrip. Halter Ranch Airport (89CA) was first activated in September 2020. It is a privately owned airport, so permission is needed to land. The winery does request that pilots contact them to receive a fly-in date. They normally need at least three days’ notice. This helps ensure that the airstrip and winery are ready for your arrival. It’s important to note that the airport does not have a wind indicator. However, the runway surface is paved. Runway 04/22 is 3,353 feet long and 25 feet wide. Pilots should use a right traffic pattern when landing and departing the air strip.

If you plan on landing at the winery’s airstrip, you should fill out the online form or call them. The winery typically requests the pilot’s name, phone number, email address, preferred arrival date, if you need information on overnight accommodations, and if you’re there to try their $100 burger that’s exclusively made for pilots.

Halter Ranch Winery History

Halter Ranch is located in the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountain Range in Paso Robles. The property encompasses 2,700 acres, and the current owner is Hansjörg Wyss. However, the property’s history goes back all the way to 1880 when it was purchased by Edwin Smith. The Smith family built a Victorian farmhouse and raised thoroughbreds, hogs, and grain. The family was also known for having amazing galas. The Smith family owned the stunningly beautiful property until 1905. From 1905 until 1943, there were three additional owners who went unnamed in the property history.

In 1943, John F. MacGillivray purchased the property and expanded it into a hunting club. They were known for their amazing BBQs, and the MacGillivray family built the first airstrip on the property in 1967, which turned out to be a good idea.

In 1970, Ronald Reagan flew to the property to attend a BBQ held by the Republican Women’s Club of Paso Rablo. While at the ranch, he announced his reelection campaign.

In total, the property has had six owners from the 1880s to today, and that includes Hansjörg Wyss, who purchased 900 acres in 2000 from the MacGillivray family. Shortly after acquiring the property, he renovated the historic Victorian farmhouse and set to work creating a totally sustainable and organic winery.

The first bottles of wine were ready by 2003. It was a Bordeaux-style reserve blend that was meant to honor the history of the property. By 2008, the winery and vineyards had received the SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification from the Central Coast Vineyard team. In 2009, the covered bridge construction was completed, which is the transition point between the historic parts of the property and the newer sections.

In 2011, Hansjörg Wyss built the wine production facility. The wine caves were constructed in 2012, and the tasting room opened in 2016. In 2020, they installed a solar panel grove with 1,026 solar panels. The panels cover 100 percent of the electricity needs for the winery and 58 percent of the property’s overall electricity usage. In 2023, the winery received its official organic certification by the CCOF.

Staying at the Halter Ranch Winery

The Halter Ranch offers many ways to stay. You could choose to stay in the 1800s farmhouse, which was known for its extravagant galas back in the late 1800s. The farmhouse boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms that can accommodate up to 15 people.

You could also choose to stay in the Vineyard View. This house boasts 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 en-suite apartments, and a pool. Up to 12 guests can stay in this beautiful and relaxing house.

If you’d like a cozier option, you might try the newly renovated and upgraded hunting lodge. The lodge boasts 4 fantastic bedrooms with their own private patios and 4 bathrooms. The lodge does have a fully functional kitchen with all appliances, and it can accommodate up to 8 people.

If you’re flying in and landing at the airport, you might prefer to stay at one of the two Pilot Cottages. Each cozy and inviting cottage can accommodate up to two people, and each cottage has a bedroom, a bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchen. The cottages are close to the airstrip and tasting room.

Enjoying the Halter Ranch Winery Wines

Halter Ranch offers Current Releases, Silver Label wines, and Large Format wines. Some popular current releases include the 2021 Syrah, which is known for its raspberry, blackberry and cocoa notes, the 2023 Effervescent Rose, which is known for its notes of strawberry, rose petals and papaya, and the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is known for its notes of red and black currents, boysenberry, raspberry and toasted almonds. The winery’s Silver Label wines include the 2021 Tannat, the 2021 Tempranillo, and the 2022 Malbec, as well as the 2017 Ancestor. Their Large Format, Magnum wines include the 2021 Cuvee Alice, the 2021 Block 22 Syrah, and the 2020 Ancestor.

Grab a Ranch Tour or Expedition

While you’re visiting the ranch and tasting the wines, don’t forget to take a tour of the facility and winery grounds. The winery offers Winery and Cave Tours and The Defender Tour. The Winery and Cave Tours are two hours long. Guests will be treated to a view of the wine-making process via a tour of the production facility and the wine caves, which are used to store and age the wine at controlled temperatures.

The Defender Tour offers guests a view of the property via a Land Rover Defender. Guests will get to view the hills and valleys of Paso Robles, the old-growth oak trees, and the Lion’s Ridge, which is the highest point on the property.

Enjoy a Culinary Experience When You Dine at Alice

Alice is the winery’s restaurant, and it’s open for lunch. The menu includes cheese and meat boards, marinated olives, salads, chips, and dip. Main courses include burgers, dry-aged beef steaks, and smoked chicken breasts, and guests may choose to have a chocolate tart for dessert.

If you’re looking to explore a historic property with lots of history while enjoying some fantastic organic wines, a trip to Halter Ranch in Paso Robles, CA, may be the mini-vacation you’ve been looking for. If you’re looking for some California aviation property, you might check out the Skyservice Napa FBO in Napa County or Blake Sky Airpark in Vacaville.