Carter Collins
General Manager, Director of Vineyards / Viticultural Management, Inc., Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery
Session: Vineyards of the Future: Combining Technology and Autonomy to Improve Profitability
Discount Promo Code: CARTER22
Carter Collins grew up between the vines that now lie adjacent to the Vina Robles Hospitality Center in Paso Robles. His parents planted that vineyard – which is now one of our estate vineyards – when Carter was seven years old, and his vineyard management career began.
"When I was a kid, my parents told my sister and I we could each choose a section of the vineyard to have as our own," he recalls. "I chose a huge block, and oversaw all the planting and work in it. Looking back, it's incredible to have come full circle considering how little I was when that happened."
While studying viticulture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Carter joined the Vina Robles team as an intern and has been a part of our team ever since. "It took longer to get through school while I worked as an intern, especially during harvest," Carter says. "But I was happy to have hands-on, real world experience."
During his undergraduate years, Carter was integral in implementing green farming strategies to help our vineyards achieve SIP Certified sustainable status. In 2019, Carter became the Vina Robles Director of Vineyards and we are proud to have him driving the agriculture decisions across all 1,200 acres we have under vine.
Carter brings an intense passion for viticulture and hands-on, family-style management to his work at Vina Robles. "I grew up in the industry with my dad working as a broker and then General Manager of a winery, plus living on the vineyard we planted," he says. "I love how small the wine industry is, and the unique community we have as farmers."
With 13 harvests at Vina Robles under his belt, Carter is an expert on our terroir, but the constant ebb and flow of vineyard cycles is what keeps him energized day-to-day. "I love being out in the vineyard," he says. "It's a chance to experience something new every day. There is different scenery and growth happening constantly. Observing how things change throughout the season is inspiring. Plus, I get to call my truck my office."
A golf enthusiast, Carter's favorite Vina Robles wine is the Fore Petite Sirah. "Not only is there a golf reference in the name, but Fore is a really unique Petite Sirah," he says. "Traditionally it has been picked a little bit later than the rest of Jardine Vineyard, so it's darker and more intense, and I just love that."
When he's not at work Carter can almost always be found outdoors either hunting, golfing, or spending time with his wife, Cheyenne, daughter Abbie, and their two dogs Addie and Bela.