If you are a regular in the Hunt Cellars tasting room located just off of Highway 46 West on Oakdale Road in Paso Robles, chances are you have enjoyed music while you sipped your wine. Owner/winemaker, David Hunt, pursued a music career in his younger days prior to becoming an electronics entrepreneur and real estate developer. Since opening the tasting room in 1999, David has been playing different styles of music and observed the way its mood affects people’s attitudes. At the end of each of the quarterly winemaker dinners he performs a solo concert for guests.

Whether the wine inspires his music or music inspires his wine, clearly the two go hand in hand. A glimpse at the tasting room’s wine list indicates the ties to his music background. The wines have whimsical names such as the Chardonnay “Moonlight Sonata”, Sangiovese “Rhapsody”, Merlot “Unforgettable” and Cabernet “CabOvation”. With consistent accolades, the wines have given David something to sing about.

And sing about the wines he does in his “Rhapsody in Red” CD. The CD contains songs written and composed by David Hunt. He co-produced the CD with contemporary jazz guitarist Nils. Nils’ Jumpstart song was rated the most played smooth jazz song by Billboard Magazine. Along with David on piano and lyrics, Nils on guitar, the CD also features the talents of onetime Ambrosia drummer Burleigh Drummond, backing vocalist Clydene Jackson, and dramatic orchestral arrangements by Philippe Saisse. The collection of songs is inspired by the two things that David is most passionate about – his family and wine.

The CD begins with “Hilltop Serenade,” a classical influenced rocker about what winemakers call the “angel’s share” inspired by Syrah, and ends with “Bon Vivant”, an optimistic song named after one of David’s cabernet sauvignon. Along with several other songs named after his unique wines, the CD contains several songs about this family and key moments in his life. “Destiny”, for example, is a song he wrote the night before his daughter Destiny was born. He gives credit for the inspiration to record this CD to his children who told him “If you don’t do it now, you are never going to do it”. The CD, dedicated to his wife and three children, can be found in the Hunt Cellars tasting room.

While visiting the tasting room be sure to taste the 2007 “Bon Vivant” Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that recently received a 93-point rating. The Cabernet has a lovely nose of currants, blackberries, cherries and toasty vanilla.  With balanced tannins, dark fruit, and supple mouthfeel this is an easy-drinking wine. The tasting room staff will be happy to play the “Bon Vivant” song for you while you taste.

Always striving to create something new, David has produced his first Pinot Noir. The fruit sourced from Santa Barbara County has been transformed into a very smooth, elegant Pinot that is rich with flavors. Having just been released, the wine has already received a 96-point rating from Food & Beverage World. The wine is being positioned as a Cabernet drinkers’ Pinot Noir due to the structure, color, body and texture. If you are lucky, they may have a bottle open at the tasting room as a teaser.

Hunt Cellars is located at 2875 Oakdale Road, Paso Robles. For additional information, visit huntcellars.com or call (805) 237-1600.