Vic Roberts farms 80 acres of grapes in the Templeton countryside and produces award-winning wine at his boutique Victor Hugo Winery located on El Pomar Road.
Roberts, a 1979 graduate of U.C. Davis, shares insights about two of the few variables available to the vintner, yeast, and a palette of oak barrel selections—from new to neutral, primarily American, French and Hungarian species.
Roberts and his wife, Leslie, planted their first vines in 1985 and today grow all their own grapes on 80 acres in the Templeton, California countryside.
Robert’s journey as a California Central Coast grape grower and wine producer in commenced back in 1982. Equipped with an enology degree (U.C. Davis, 1979), and 3 years of winery experience, Vic took a position at a new winery in the Paso Robles area.
The Roberts’s dream of owning their own vineyard and winery took its first step into reality in 1985 when he and Leslie planted 15 acres on the Templeton property that contains the family home and the Victor Hugo winery and tasting room is located in a renovated 100 year-old barn.

More vineyards were added and today they farm 78-acres planted to Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier and 5 Bordeaux reds - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
Come along and join Roberts as he visits with correspondent Tom Wilmer. Wilmer is the author of two wine books (including the award-winning Wine Seekers Guide to Livermore Valley) and numerous wine industry features in Tasting Panel Magazine.
He has also produced more than 200 hundred winemaker/winery owner radio and podcast interviews around California, Arizona and the legendary Barossa Valley in Australia.
The intro underbed music in this show was performed by singer, songwriter, Mike Beck.
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