Robert Cook
Winemaker

Robert Cook joined Chalone Vineyard in 2007 as senior winemaker. In this role, Robert is responsible for creating wines that express the unique character of the vineyards surrounding Chalone Vineyard and managing the production of Chalone Monterey wines from vineyard to bottle.

Chalone Vineyard had a profound effect on Cook long before he accepted the winemaker position. While celebrating his 21st birthday with family, he enjoyed a bottle of 1981 Chalone Pinot Noir, which ultimately enticed him to study fermentation and enology. Before Chalone Vineyard, Cook was at Estancia Winery where he started as associate winemaker and worked his way up to director of winemaking. Cook was responsible for all Estancia winemaking though began primarily with red wines from their Monterey and Paso Robles vineyards, including the Pinot Noir, Meritage and Cabernet Sauvignon. Prior to joining Estancia, Robert worked as a winemaker in Spain for two years for Artadi and International Wine Services. He oversaw all aspects of Tempranillo, Grenache and some Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking while in Spain. While in Spain, he developed a love for all-things-Spanish and learned to speak the language. Robert has held harvest intern positions in Napa Valley at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Opus One, while earning his Bachelor of Science in Fermentation at the University of California at Davis.

Robert was born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii. He is an avid golfer when the grapes and wine allow it, and he travels to Spain frequently.