Gemini Love

Check out this awesome review of our 2005 Gemini Reserve Red, found on the blog titled "Where's My DAMN Answer?"

"Midnight Cellars http://www.midnightcellars.com/  in Paso Robles strikes again!! We of course had to taste all the wines while there but this was one that really stuck with us.  Not for how it tasted a few weeks ago but how it will taste in 6 months.  I was chatting with Rich Hartenberger Winemaker extraordinaire and he told me that this will be the best wine ever made in 6 months!!  While I am not sure because I cannot fast forward - BUT what I can tell you is that I have tasted a bottle of this from a wine that was produced a couple years ago and it has aged so well.  The wine from years past was so smooth and rich with just the right amount of balance of flavors. This wine is just a kick ass red.  Just great.  That bottle was far better now than it was a year ago. This high alcohol wine is so Yummy (my technical wine term) it is a great blend of Zin and Syrah and you can really taste blackberries and blueberries as well as hints of pepper, spice and nutmeg.  All and all this wine is a winner - Better be after all I walked out of there with a case!!"

Award Winners

Every summer, we participate in the Commercial Wine Competitions at the Mid State and Orange County Fairs. This involves shipping numerous bottles of yummy vino to a panel of experienced and discriminating judges. Judges swirl, sip and spit thousands of wines! Following are our top two winners for this year:



Orange County Fair: The 2005 Petite Sirah "Eclipse" wins a 4 Star Gold! Out of 3,089 total wines judged, only 26 were recognized as "4-star gold" winners. This is a full-bodied wine with dense fruit flavors and quite a perfect balance of tannin and acidity. Available in the tasting room for only $25/bottle.

Mid-State Fair: The 2005 Petit Verdot "Synnove" won a Gold medal! Petit Verdot is one of the lesser known red Bordeaux varietals typically found in blends. It is used to add tannin, color and an earthy characteristic to other wines. We bottled this interesting varietal all on its own. Come in and taste! It retails for $28/bottle.

September Block Party!

September 5th marks the date of yet another 46 West Block Party! This one takes place at Donati Family Vineyard, which is located on the corner of 46 West and Vineyard Dr. From 5:30-7:30 p.m. you can enjoy spectacular wines from all the 46 West Wineries, Santa Maria style BBQ and live blues music from local band, Funk 30. Best part is, this event is only $20 and includes your special logo glass. Come join us and celebrate the beginning of harvest season! Tickets are available at http://septemberblockparty.eventbrite.com/

Cookoff Debauchery

Foodies and winos ran wild at the Winemakers' Cookoff, which took place last Saturday evening. Thirty wineries furiously prepared unique and delicious entrees for hundreds of hungry guests, poured bottles upon bottles of award winning wines and bribed the night away in hopes of collecting enough ballots to win 1st place.

Obviously my personal favorite was our very own filet wrapped bacon, but then again I have a much more sophisticated palate than most...or so I like to think ;) Seriously though, if this doesn't get your taste buds going, I don't know what will:

RECIPE:

Filet Wrapped Bacon

~in a shallot and port wine reduction sauce~

Served with a lemony corn, celery, bacon and almond relish

DESSERT:

Port infused triple chocolate brownies topped with a bacon dusting

...because everyone loves bacon, right?

Congratulations to Martin & Weyrich & York Mountain for winning 1st place Judges Choice Award with their Carne Asada Tacos topped w/ Kike's famous roasted Tomatillo Salsa!

And congratulations to Sylvester Winery for winning 1st place People's Choice Award with their Lamb and Beef Shish Kabobs in Cabernet Sauvignon reduction sauce.

Thirdly, I must note that Mondo Cellars created the most delicious lamb burger I've ever had in my life! Australian lamb topped with caramelized sweet onions, sun dried tomato and feta aioli, purple cabbage and mint slaw on a sweet Hawaiian bun.

Thanks to everyone who participated and the Rotary for another great year! We will be back.

11th Annual Winemaker's Cookoff

WINEMAKERS' COOKOFF

FOOD, WINE, LIVE MUSIC AND FUN!

This is definitely the most exciting local event in Paso Robles wine country! Join Midnight Cellars and about 30 other wineries as we grill up some gourmet grub and pour outstanding wines on August 8th from 6-9 p.m. at the River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles. Blankets and beach chairs are encouraged, as this is a casual event. Tickets are $75 per person and available for purchase at http://www.winemakerscookoff.com/ .

P.S. Did I mention that we won 1st Place People's Choice and 2nd Place Judges Choice Awards last year? This year we aim for top in both categories with our filet wrapped bacon. Sound interesting? We thought so... See you there!