It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of Hans Nef (75), founder and majority owner of Vina Robles. A tragic swimming accident in the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa took his life in late November.
A rare visionary and brilliant entrepreneur, Mr. Nef was a highly successful civil engineer, real estate developer, investor and active board member of several companies. His foray into the wine business began later in life, but if you asked him, he was just hitting his stride. After an extensive search for the perfect place, Hans Nef planted his first vineyard in 1997, and founded Vina Robles in late 1998. It quickly became his passion project. The Nef family home is in Switzerland, but the patriarch visited Paso Robles often, bringing
groups of friends, and his entire family along whenever possible.
Just before the holidays...
