Tucked into the rolling hills of Paso Robles, Midnight Cellars has spent the last three decades crafting wines that are approachable, expressive, and deeply connected to the land. What began as a joking conversation during a family wine trip in Napa in 1993 eventually turned into a life-changing adventure for the Hartenberger family. Today, Midnight Cellars has become one of Paso Robles’ beloved family-owned wineries.
Owner and director of winemaking Rich Hartenberger remains hands-on in every aspect of the winery, from vineyard work to winemaking decisions. After moving from Chicago to California in 1995 with his wife Michele and his parents Robert and Mary Jane, the family planted their estate vineyards by hand and learned the wine business from the ground up. Their commitment to sustainable farming, careful vineyard management, and letting the fruit naturally express itself still guides the winery today.
Midnight Cellars focuses on producing wines that are accessible, food-friendly, and enjoyable without losing their sense of place. Their vineyards are farmed sustainably using organic nutrients, composting practices, and low-yield farming techniques that help concentrate flavor and preserve vineyard health.
One of the reasons we enjoy carrying Midnight Cellars in our wine shop is the personal connection behind the wines. Every year, Rich Hartenberger joins us for a special wine dinner where guests get to hear stories directly from the winemaker while tasting through the lineup. It has become one of our favorite annual events and always reminds us how passionate the Hartenberger family is about sharing great wine with great people.
We are excited to offer five standout Midnight Cellars wines in the shop right now.
The 2023 Grenache Blanc “Andromeda” is crisp, refreshing, and full of bright fruit character. Pale lemon in color, it offers flavors of pear, Fuji apple, apricot, lemon verbena, and delicate white floral notes alongside vibrant citrus and minerality. It’s the perfect bottle for patios, seafood dinners, or sharing with friends on a sunny day. $28.99/bottle.
The 2022 Petit Verdot “Synnöve” gives wine lovers a rare opportunity to experience Petit Verdot as a standalone varietal. Rich, earthy, and layered with depth, this limited-production wine highlights the bold structure and complexity that Petit Verdot can bring to a blend while confidently standing on its own. $34.99/bottle.
The 2024 Estate Chardonnay comes from vines originally planted by Robert Hartenberger in 1995 in honor of his wife Mary Jane’s favorite grape. Produced in a clean, balanced style with restrained oak and bright acidity, this Chardonnay beautifully reflects the cooler westside Paso Robles climate. $22.99/bottle.
For those seeking something more luxurious, the 2020 Mare Nectaris delivers richness and elegance worthy of its name, which translates to “Sea of Nectar.” Inspired by the ancient belief that wine was “the nectar of the gods,” this wine is crafted to be shared during life’s most memorable moments. $51.99/bottle.
Finally, the 2021 Zenith Estate Cuvée represents the pinnacle of Midnight Cellars’ estate-grown reds. This carefully selected blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec showcases power, balance, and structure while highlighting the strength of Paso Robles fruit. The bottle’s celestial labeling glows in the dark. $74.99/bottle.
Whether you are already a fan of Midnight Cellars or finding out about them for the first time, we are proud to feature these family-crafted wines in our shop and look forward to sharing them with you.
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