Almond Hill is a small family owned and operated Estate Vineyard located on a hillside previously planted in almond trees on the West side of the Paso Robles appellation, mid-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Proprietors Dennis Van Westerhuyzen and his wife Nicole Cavier searched for many years, up and down the California Coast, for some land to plant a small vineyard to keep themselves busy during their retirement years, and also because they both enjoy wine.  They bought the property in 1997.
About Us
At the time, Dennis was working full time for an aerospace co. in the South Bay and Nicole owned a screen printing business.  The home in San Pedro and the business were sold and Dennis and Nicole moved to Paso.  Dennis intended to keep his job for another 4 or 5 years while clearing the land of the almond trees on weekends, but, Life Happened, and it took 12 years before Dennis could finally retire.
The first 2 1/2 acres of Syrah vines were planted in 2000.  They were very fortunate to find a buyer for their first harvest in 2002, a great little boutique winery right next door.  In 2004 they planted another 4 acres of Syrah and 1 acre of Petite Sirah grafted with budwood from the acclaimed Richard Sauret Vineyard near by.