Robert Hall Winery (Director of Winemaking–Central Coast)

Amanda Gorter grew up in the Central Valley of California, a member of a third-generation agricultural family. Not surprisingly, this embedded in her an appreciation for the relaxed environment afforded by a lifestyle connected to the land.

After graduating from high school, she completed an Associate of Science degree in biology in 2011 at Reedley College in the Central Valley. Amanda then entered the University of California, Davis, majoring in Biological Sciences, and earned her B.S. degree in 2013.

Amanda undertook a harvest internship with O’Neill Vintners & Distillers in Parlier, California, in mid-2013. She was named enologist there in early 2014, a position she held until mid-2016, at which point she became assistant winemaker at O’Neill’s Parlier location. She completed the Winemaking Certificate program at Davis that same year.

In mid-2016, Amanda moved to the firm’s Robert Hall winery in Paso Robles as assistant winemaker and became its winemaker in early 2019. She was promoted to lead winemaker two years later, and became Director of Winemaking–Central Coast for O’Neill in 2023.

Amanda has a penchant for experimenting with anything from food to wine to interior design and says, "That is probably one of the main reasons I like working at O'Neill, because of the trials and innovation we have both the permission and the capacity to execute." As a winemaker, she explores the possibilities of the Paso Robles AVA as reflected in Paso Verde, an adventurous, naturally low-alcohol alternative white wine made from Mediterranean varietals. She was also instrumental in developing the award-winning Charles Woodson's Intercept wines and spearheaded Robert Hall's first sparkling wine, making a Méthode Champenoise sparkling Grenache Blanc.

O'Neill Vintners and Distillers awarded Amanda its O'Neill Leader of the Year Award for displaying leadership, consistency, and dedication. The following year, she was selected for the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a 17-month experience designed to help emerging, mid-career agricultural leaders enhance their skills and contribute to the long-term success of their farms, ranches, nurseries, and other similar operations.