Midnight Cellars - Paso Robles - California Central Coast

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Family dream comes true for award-winning winery.

OK, raise your hands, how many of you have ever fantad about quitting your job and- starting a winery?? You and your family, and maybe some extended family too, would move to the wine country, buy a piece of land, refurbish the old house, convert the barn into a winery, plant some vines and you're living your dream.

Although it s not even remotely close to being that- simple, you can now live vicariously through members of the Hartenberger family who are-experiencing your dream at this very moment. I would not have started this winery without the help of my kids, assures owner and founder Bob Hartenberger. I did it for the lifestyle but I knew the task was too great without their help and besides I wanted them there.

To Bob and family it seems longer than the thirteen years that have flown by since buying their 150 acre plot of land in the heart of Central California s wine country. Bob's due diligence took him to every section of California's wine producing regions before choosing to locate in the Paso Robles area. With a world class reputation for grape growing and relatively affordable land prices, the Paso Robles area was the logical spot. What's appealing too, Bob notes, is that the area still has the unspoiled beauty and charm of real wine country and a feeling of close-knit cooperation among our friends and neighbors.

Not surprisingly, it didn't take a lot of convincing for family members to exchange their briefcases and commutes in the car for shovels and rides on the tractor. In fact if anything, it was Bob's sons Rich and Mike who encouraged Dad to take the plunge.

'Years ago, I made a half serious comment to my Dad when we were visiting Napa that he should start a winery when he retired and my wife, Michelle, and I would run it! recalls Rich Hartenberger. That must have been a catalyst of sorts because it was only a year or so later that things were rolling and the kids got the call. Rich promptly quit his job in Chicago as a product manager for a medical supply company and his wife Michelle gave up her job as a biochemist. Eldest son Mike not only followed suit by leaving his career as a salesman for an electronics firm, but also paid the ultimate price by relinquishing his Chicago Bulls season tickets!

The first order of business was to turn the old horse barn into a winery and the barley field into a vineyard. Easier said than done, the barn required extensive refurbishing to retrofit the stainless steel tanks, French and American oak barrels, water treatment systems and hundreds of other devices.

Then after planting just 450 vines of the planned 11,000, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they were in for a long haul. 'Sure, it's was expensive and it's hard work too!' says Bob Hartenberger. 'But we started this with one idea in mind: to create the best wines possible and wines we can be proud of. We're not about to cut any corners.'

In 1996, they planted about 18 acres of the potential 100+ suitable acres. Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were the first varietals to be planted. Additional acreage of each along with Cabernet Franc will be added eventually. And while these vines are maturing, the Hartenbergers secured first class grapes from other local area well-known vineyards to begin the winemaking process.

As a home winemaker in Chicago for many years, Bob knew the fundamentals. To help ensure success with their first commercial releases, though, they called upon the expert guidance of Nick Martin of nearby Martin Brothers Winery. With Nick's help and the assistance of a handful of neighboring wineries, the first releases of Midnight Cellars wine have been a hit all have earned medals at wine competitions throughout the state and country. With over thirteen years in the vineyards and winery, today, Rich Hartenberger enjoys the role of family winemaker.

With over 990 wineries when they started and with over 2000 competing wineries today in California alone the Hartenbergers know full well the importance of maintaining a high quality reputation. 'We have to have the very best wine', says Rich Hartenberger.

So far so good. Year after year Midnight Cellar wines have all won competitive awards: in the State as well as across the Nation.

FEATURED WINES

	Midnight Cellars 2005 Chardonnay Equinox Midnight Cellars 2005 Chardonnay “Equinox” is a perfectly balanced wine expressing the flavors of the fruit from California’s Central Coast exemplary growing region near Paso Robles. The 2005 Chardonnay won a Silver Medalat the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition, and a Silver Medal at theAmerican Wine Society Wine Competition. The color is a beautiful straw and the nose is full of tropical fruits and fig. Flavors of green apple, pear, fig, ginger, and vanilla bean intermingle across the palate. The mouth feel is full and crisp. The finish is impossibly long with roasted vanilla bean and crisp acidity lingering well into the next sip. This crisp clean Chardonnay pairs perfectly with seafood, oriental cuisine, and fresh green garden salads. Aged 14 months in oak. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until 2010.
	Midnight Cellars 2005 Syrah Nocturne The Midnight Cellars 2005 Syrah “Nocturne” has received numerous awards in major wine competitions across the country which includes the following: Silver Medal â”€ Indy International Wine Competition, Silver Medal â”€ Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, Silver Medal, â”€ Eastern International Wine Competition, Silver Medal â”€ Central Coast Wine Competition, Silver Medal â”€ Florida International Wine Challenge, Silver Medal â”€ American Wine Society Wine Competition. This delicious Syrah is deep dark violet in color with a rich ruby rim. The bouquet is an explosion of fruit portraying aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry, plums, and strawberries, layered with vanilla, and an earthy spice. The mouthfeel is rich and full of fruit with well balanced tannins and acidity throughout the long extended finish. Aged 18 months in oak. 100% Syrah. Enjoy now until 2015.
	Midnight Cellars 2006 Chardonnay Equinox A Gold Medal Wine Club Special Selection! Midnight Cellars 2006 Chardonnay “Equinox” is perfectly balanced. This delicious Chardonnay expresses the delicate flavors and nuances of the fruit from California’s Central Coast’s exemplary growing region near Paso Robles. The wine is a beautiful golden straw yellow in color. The bountiful bouquet bursts with the essence of Granny Smith green apples, Barlett pears, and Chinese ground ginger. Bright flavors of crisp apple, vanilla, pear, and mango mingle on the palate from the very start to the very end. The mouthfeel is firm, clean and crisp as well, with balance acidity and oak accents carrying on into the long finish. The 2006 Midnight Cellars Chardonnay is a very food friendly wine and will pair perfectly with seafood, fresh garden vegetables, and fruit salads. Aged 10 months in Oak. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until 2010.

It wasn't until Bob Hartenberger began traveling extensively in the 1980s that he became interested in wine. 'It was a gradual appreciation that grew out of many business dinners and meeting people with varying degrees of wine knowledge,' recalls Bob. 'I became more and more intrigued with not only wine itself, but with the scientific aspect and finally started making wine in the basement of our home in the Chicago area.'

The Hartenberger family was living in Chicago by way of St. Louis where Bob grew up. He attended St. Louis University in the 1950s, earning degrees in both Chemistry and Law. A brief and dissatisfying stint at Shell Oil immediately after college led to locally headquartered Monsanto Corporation where Bob found his career niche. Using his educational background in both chemistry and law Bob was hired as a Patent Attorney in 1962.

Bob stayed at Monsanto for 11 years before moving to Chicago to become Chief Patent Lawyer for American Hospital Supply Corporation. For 17 years the Hartenbergers lived in Chicago, during which time the company was bought by another company, Baxter Corporation. Then in 1990 Bob was transferred to Glendale California to become General Counsel at a new corporate location.

Four years later, Bob retired the corporate life and decided to take on a completely new challenge. Even though he was already keenly interested in wines and was still making wine on a very small scale at home, something must have hit a chord during a trip to Napa that year. Bob and Mary Jane met son Rich and his wife Michele in the northern wine country for weekend of wine tasting. As millions of people do each year, the Hartenbergers thought of how great a lifestyle it would be to own and operate their own winery. 'The thought grew on me for an entire year before finally taking the plunge,' recalls Bob.

That dream is now a reality for Bob, Mary Jane, Rich, Michele, and Mike Hartenberger.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Potato Crusted Snapper with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Ingredients:
Serves four

Potato Crusted Snapper ingredients:
2 Idaho Potatoes, peeled
4 (5-once) Snapper filets
1 Cup Butter, warmed, clarified
Sea Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Lemon herb seasoning.

Beurre Blanc Sauce ingredients:
2 Cups of heavy cream
1 Cup Chardonnay
12 Whole Black peppercorns
1/4 Cup Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 Shallots, diced
1 Pound Butter, cut into pieces, softened

Preparations:
For the Potato Crusted Snapper - Finely julienne the potatoes and immediately put them into cold water and rinse thoroughly. Repeat 2 or 3 times, or until water is clear. The purpose of this is to rinse off all of the starches and sugars so the potatoes do not burn while cooking. Drain the water from potatoes and towel dry thoroughly. In a mixing bowl, add potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add about 1/2 cup of the warm clarified butter, or enough to coat. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Season snapper fillets well with salt and pepper. Take the julienne potatoes and put thin layer on the top-side of the fish only. In a large saute pan, heat about 1/4 inch of clarified butter over medium heat. Carefully lay fillets in the hot butter, potato side down, and pan-fry until the potato crust turns golden brown. Remove from heat, turn the fish over, and finish cooking in the pan in the oven. Place one Snapper fillet on each of the 4 dinner plates and top with Buerre Blanc Sauce. Garnish with lemon herb seasoning.

For Beurre Blanc Sauce: Heat cream in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup. Reserve. In a large skillet, reduce wine, peppercorns, lemon juice, and shallots over a high heat until almost dry (only a little liquid remains). Add reduced cream, whipping constantly. Remove from heat, and slowly whip in butter until thickened and smooth. Serve over Snapper

Leg of Lamb Gascony (Cuisse de mouton Gascony)

Ingredients:
Serves eight

1 (7 Pound) Leg of Lamb, fat trimmed to 1/2"
12 Anchovy fillets, packed in oil
12 Garlic cloves, peeled,halved lengthwise
1/2 Cup of Duck or Bacon fat
3 Tablespoons Rosemary, fresh, chopped
1 Tablespoon Creole seasoning
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper, fresh ground
1 Yellow Onion, large, peeled, quartered
1 Carrot, large, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 Turnip, large, trimmed and quartered
2 Celery stalks, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 Cup Chicken or Beef stock
2 Tablespoons unsalted-Butter,cut 4 pieces

Preparations:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. With a small, sharp knife, make 12 (1 1/2 inch deep) slits about every two inches of the lamb. Wrap the anchovies around the garlic cloves and stuff into the slits. In a large roasting pan set over 2 burners, heat the duck or bacon fat over medium heat. Add the lamb and sear on all sides (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat and in a small bowl combine the rosemary, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a rub. Rub evenly over all of the lamb. Add the vegetables and stir to coat with the fat. Roast 1 1/2 hours until internal temperature reaches 130 degrees for medium-rare, stir the vegetables every 30 minutes during this time. Remove lamb and vegetables from the oven and transfer to a large platter, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes. Place the pan over two burners. Add wine and cook stirring to deglaze the pan and reduce by half. Add the stock, reduce by 1/2 again. Strain into a small saucepan through a fine mesh strainer; extract as much liquid as you can. Return liquid to medium heat, stirring constantly and add the butter cubes to complete gravy. Carve the lamb, place along side of roasted vegetables and top with gravy. Take a large sip of Syrah.

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