Growing Conditions
Hidden Valley Vineyard is our estate vineyard, located in the Templeton gap area of Paso Robles’ Westside. The sloping terrain drains rapidly and the vines enjoy long warm days and cool nights throughout the growing season. The mature, cane pruned vines produce low yields of intense and expressive fruit. A severe Spring frost and an unusually long, cool growing season was a challenge for many growers in 2011. We were spared – due to either our Templeton Gap micro climate or pure luck.
Harvest
While the yields were light, the fruit quality was spectacular. A sustained October heat spell ripened our Sangiovese grapes to perfection.
Aging
The wine was aged for 18 months in 50% one year old French Oak and 50% neutral oak. Complex and balanced, the 2011 Illuminatus drinks beautifully and has tremendous aging potential.
