Hidden Oak Winery is located in the El Pomar area of Templeton, just 5 miles east of downtown Templeton. We consider our vineyard as a piece of heaven'. The west overlooks all of Paso Robles and to the east are endless rolling hills dotted with oak trees. The soil in which our grapes are grown is considered the finest in the Central Coast.
The rocky limestone and clay composition of the Linne Calodo soil provides the complexity and flavors found in our wines. Our focus has always been growing grapes but in order to understand the needs of the vine and the optimum time to harvest, we studied wine making and found that by controlling the vine to bottle process we can achieve the richest velvety textures that only great grapes can produce.
The rocky limestone and clay composition of the Linne Calodo soil provides the complexity and flavors found in our wines. Our focus has always been growing grapes but in order to understand the needs of the vine and the optimum time to harvest, we studied wine making and found that by controlling the vine to bottle process we can achieve the richest velvety textures that only great grapes can produce.
Reviews (13)
Steib
Jun 21, 2021
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Roy H.
Sep 29, 2020
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Cynthia N.
Jan 01, 2017
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Mike M.
Dec 01, 2016
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Was exploring the south east side on Thanksgiving weekend. Hidden Oak was the winner for outstanding wines of the four we visited.
The cab franc was spectacular and under $30 won't. Break the bank. These small places are great because you can meet with the wine maker and talk wine. This would be the opposite of a Temcula winery.
There's just one guy Mike (winemaker) behind the tasting bar. No frills inside the tasting room. A few couches and a tv on the wall and a few knick knacks for sale but if you want quality affordable wine ibwould suggest this place.
My top two favorites
The cab franc was spectacular and under $30 won't. Break the bank. These small places are great because you can meet with the wine maker and talk wine. This would be the opposite of a Temcula winery.
There's just one guy Mike (winemaker) behind the tasting bar. No frills inside the tasting room. A few couches and a tv on the wall and a few knick knacks for sale but if you want quality affordable wine ibwould suggest this place.
My top two favorites
Denny B.
Jan 21, 2016
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This is one beautiful location on a hill overlooking Creston and Templeton. The TV had an NFL playoff game, but if that wasn't being played, it would have been the golf channel. Mike James likes golf.
Mike James philosophy of winemaking at Hidden Oak is a bit different. Mike specifically aims for the wines to be "ready to drink" as soon as the cork is popped. To achieve that, the wine must barrel age until ready. This could take 3, 4 or even 5 years before it is deemed ready for bottling. This method allows the wine to be much smoother and drinkable. His prices reflect the
Mike James philosophy of winemaking at Hidden Oak is a bit different. Mike specifically aims for the wines to be "ready to drink" as soon as the cork is popped. To achieve that, the wine must barrel age until ready. This could take 3, 4 or even 5 years before it is deemed ready for bottling. This method allows the wine to be much smoother and drinkable. His prices reflect the
Geana J.
Sep 30, 2015
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Tony K.
Sep 07, 2013
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What a gem this place is. Anybody who thinks Paso can't produce great Cabs needs to check out Hidden Oak. Mike, the owner/winemaker, served us. He's a friendly guy and was not stingy with his pours. We only tasted the reds, and every one was a hit. The Merlot is wonderful and full-bodied, almost like a Cab (and priced right, especially if you get a case as we did). His '07 and '09 Cabs were drinking beautifully with great fruit and mouthfeel. He uses all French Oak and leaves the wine in the barrels longer than usual which results in a less tannic wine, which we prefer. I guess
Dennis M.
Aug 21, 2013
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As you walk into this winery you'll find a flat screen TV on the side of the tasting room with the golf channel on. My wife who was with me was very glad to see this and was stuck on watching golf during our tasting. That was, until the owner Mike walked in wearing golf clothes. My wife and him hit it off immediately, as she's a golfer too. When he found out that we were from Sonoma county he said "so you're here to taste some real wines!" LOL. I enjoyed tasting their Petite Syrah and Zinfandel. The 2009 Petite Syrah took a double gold medal from the SF chronicle
Robert F.
Mar 19, 2013
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Absolutely love this winery! Mike, the owner served us. He one of the funniest, coolest, people I have ever met! Great guy! Outstanding views from the parking area! Inside the tasting room it's pretty basic. The wines however are nothing short of outstsanding!
The Vignioer is out of this world!!! Just about everything we tried was a home run!! We will be defenetely be coming back!! Mike is so much fun to hang out with. Wines are very reasonable too!! Tremendous bang for the buck here!
The Vignioer is out of this world!!! Just about everything we tried was a home run!! We will be defenetely be coming back!! Mike is so much fun to hang out with. Wines are very reasonable too!! Tremendous bang for the buck here!
Renee W.
Jul 29, 2011
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Hidden Oak was winery #2 on our tour of 5 total. We definitely thought the grounds were gorgeous and liked how it was off the beaten path. Tased 5 of their wines; really liked the Encanto, Chardonnay and also the Petite Syrah. We definitely know to start from the top and work our way down and would have preferred to try what we wanted to on the list instead of his pouring for us. But that was still ok, as we tried 5 good wines.
Vivian A.
May 02, 2011
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Was visiting some friends for the weekend in Paso Robles and they had this box of Merlot they were pouring from...
A box?
Yes, a box! And it was extremely smooth! So smooth I think we had about 6 glasses each the first night we got arrived! The one box carried the equivalent of four bottles. Wow!
My friend promised he would take us to the owner's winery before we returned home. We ended up visiting Mike on Sunday. It was a scenic drive through lots of vineyards and a great view. Mike was very informative, friendly, and didn't make us feel rushed at all. He told us he doesn't
A box?
Yes, a box! And it was extremely smooth! So smooth I think we had about 6 glasses each the first night we got arrived! The one box carried the equivalent of four bottles. Wow!
My friend promised he would take us to the owner's winery before we returned home. We ended up visiting Mike on Sunday. It was a scenic drive through lots of vineyards and a great view. Mike was very informative, friendly, and didn't make us feel rushed at all. He told us he doesn't
Courtney S.
Mar 07, 2010
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Hidden Oak was winery #2 on our tour in late Feb 2010. Our limo driver, James, raved about it and said their wines were amazing. We thought they were good but not necessarily great.
We tasted the 07 Sauv Blanc, 06 Merlot, 05 Encanto, 06 Encanto and the 07 Petite Sirah. The Sauv Blan and 05 Encanto we felt were a little watery, the Merlot a little young (maybe better after being laid down?). We liked the 06 Encanto but ended up only buying the 07 Petite Sirah, which was delicious! At around $25 a bottle, though, I thought their prices were a little high.
The tasting room is nice, well appointed
We tasted the 07 Sauv Blanc, 06 Merlot, 05 Encanto, 06 Encanto and the 07 Petite Sirah. The Sauv Blan and 05 Encanto we felt were a little watery, the Merlot a little young (maybe better after being laid down?). We liked the 06 Encanto but ended up only buying the 07 Petite Sirah, which was delicious! At around $25 a bottle, though, I thought their prices were a little high.
The tasting room is nice, well appointed
Colleen B.
Dec 01, 2009
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Mike, who is the vintner of this great winery is a fantastic guy! The wines are delicious and priced very well. You can get the wine at local restaurants too, so that speaks to the quality as seen from the foodie point of view.
Enjoy the award winning Encanto, Merlot, Cab and sure to be award winning soon Sauv Blanc, Viognier and Petite Sirah!
Enjoy the award winning Encanto, Merlot, Cab and sure to be award winning soon Sauv Blanc, Viognier and Petite Sirah!
