The Hartenberger family began Midnight Cellars in May of 1995. The idea sprung from a family vacation to Northern California wine country in 1993. While sipping wine and overlooking a beautiful valley, the comment was made: “You know Dad, why don’t you buy a winery when you retire, and we’ll run it for you.” In 1994, when retirement became a reality, the winery idea resurfaced and became a reality. The family members sold their Chicago homes and converged on Paso Robles, where they bought a beautiful 160 acre ranch in the western hills of Paso, planted 30 acres of grapes, and started the dream.

The Midnight estate vineyard was planted by the Hartenbergers in 1995 on 30 acres of hillside and hilltop terrain nestled near the Santa Lucia mountain range of Westside Paso Robles. This area, known as the Templeton Gap, is a prime growing location characterized by cool maritime influences and calcareous soils. The Midnight vineyard is currently planted to Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Yearly production hovers around 7,000 cases of small production wines.

 

Adjacent to the 10,000 square foot open air winery of Midnight Cellars is their bright blue tasting room with its white awning. The large space has a tile floor with a long tasting bar looking out behind the winery to a grassy lawn backed up against the hillside. There are tables and chairs for relaxing and taking in the clean country air. Inside the tasting room there is a nice display of boutique items, ribbons displayed for various  awards, and framed photographs. Visitors are welcome to take a tour with the winemaker whenever he is available-- and spontaneous barrel tastings are known to occur.