Paso Robles

Cabernet Sauvignon

Petit Verdot

Malbec

TOPGUN, one word, all caps. In the dangerous and dynamic world of fighter aviation, TOPGUN is legendary. The talent, passion, and dedication of the TOPGUN Staff are without equal. In honor of all who fly and fight, please enjoy this powerful blend of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. A slight change to our blend but this is a big, bold, and tasty wine.

TOPGUN Cuvée

Cabernet Franc

Merlot

United States

California

VŌLATŪS

Pinot Noir

G-LOC

Bloody Well Right

Morte de Caelo

Boys are Back

Fox-2

Fox-3

Long Way Home

Charlie

Dancing in the Moonlight

CAVU

Bolter

Crazy

AS A FORMER NAVY FIGHTER PILOT, I LIKE TO WORK HARD AND FLY HARD BUT I ALSO LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.  

FOR ME, WINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FUN; A SOCIAL BEVERAGE TO ENJOY WITH GOOD FOOD AND GREAT CONVERSATION.

AT VOLATUS, MY MISSION IS SIMPLE - CREATE DELICIOUS WINES TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Chardonnay

Grenache

Roussanne

Syrah

Tannat

Tempranillo

Vacarese

Viognier

Zinfandel

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!

Hal "Bull" Schmitt

This is the biggest, baddest, most balanced Paso Zin you can find.

Back Label - The pain cave of high G, WVR combat is a cruel mistress, but you have to learn to love her.

Powerful and varietal Paso Robles Cabernet.  100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% new French oak.

A delicious 100% Syrah from three of the district's top vineyards, Caliza, Jack Creek, and Old Oak. 

A spicy and structured Zinfandel from our Estate vineyard.  

Syrah Blend

A blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah.  Delicious Willow Creek District fruit on killer French oak.

Dark and rich Tempranillo. Big yet easy drinking.

White

Crisp and delicious Chardonnay. Neutral French oak fermentation allows the grape to shine through.

A beautiful 100% new French oak fermented and aged wine.  Perfect balance of oak and Chardonnay fruit.

A delicious and structured blend of Viognier and Roussanne. Tropical, floral, and mineral.

Tannat Blend

Rosé

Fresh, crisp, bone dry, and delicious.  Red fruit and melon are ready for rose all day.
Tannat, Pinot Noir, and Vaccarese.

Red Blend

Brun Argenté or Vaccarèse is a red wine grape that is grown primarily in the Rhone Valley in France. It is a permitted grape in the blend of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where the name Vaccarèse is used. However, in 2004 only 0.15% of the appellation's surface was planted with the variety

Since the Vaccarèse variety of red wine is moderately acidic, it goes well with foods that are not too acidic.

Paso Robles

VŌLATŪS

California

2021

2020

2019

TOPGUN Cuvée

Paso Robles

Release Price

Drink Window

ABV

pH

TA

RS

Aging

More from this Producer