Hal Schmitt is a Navy veteran, and the owner and winemaker at Volatus winery in Paso Robles California.
Hal was commissioned as a naval aviator in 1995. He deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch and deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 1999 Hal was selected to attend Strike Force Tactics Instructor training at the former Navy Fighter Weapons school, more commonly known as TOPGUN. After graduation, he remained on staff as an instructor. In 2004, Hal returned to TOPGUN for a second Instructor tour. Hal again became the Navy’s air-to-air training expert and conducted training around the world. Hal resigned his commission at the completion of his second TOPGUN tour and moved to California’s Central Coast to focus on making wine.
The Volatus story began with a chance meeting in the late 1990’s. LT Hal Schmitt, a young Navy Fighter Pilot, was out wine tasting in the rugged hills of West Paso Robles. While at Midnight Cellars, he met local winemaker Rich Hartenberger and offered his assistance during the upcoming harvest. Just two weeks later, Rich and Hal processed their first fruit together and forged a deep and lasting friendship. As Hal’s Navy career took him around the world and included twice serving as a TOPGUN instructor, he always spent his down time learning the art of wine from Rich. Whenever in Paso Robles, whether for a weekend or a month, Hal would be elbow-deep in grapes or wine. When on deployment and not playing Halo in the Ready Room, Hal would deep dive into Viticulture books used at UC Davis.
After making wine with Rich for over 9 years, Hal enticed his brother Kevin, a recent Fuqua School of Business grad, to work with him to make a wine of their own. The single focus was to create wines of distinction that expressed the personalities and passions of the brothers. Bringing Rich into the mix was second nature. So, with the team in place and an initial purchase of a ton of Syrah grapes, Volatus, Latin for "flight or flying", was born. As a member of one of the world’s most exclusive clubs, TOPGUN, Hal thrives on meeting every challenge with nothing but complete dedication and a perfectionist spirit. It is with this spirit that he shares his passion for flying and wine by bringing you Volatus!
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