40 Under 40 Tastemaker

Vineyard Manager, Halter Ranch Vineyards 

Managing in a crisis

In 2012, when Pope started to manage Halter Ranch’s 238-acre vineyard—the largest on Paso Robles’ coveted westside—the Cal Poly grad had already worked harvests in Australia, South Africa and the Santa Cruz Mountains. He suddenly found himself on the frontlines in the fight against red blotch, a mysterious vine disease that threatens California’s entire industry. “It’s been a roller coaster,” says Pope, who’s innovating strategies to tackle the threat. “Since 2012, we’ve redeveloped half the ranch.”