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The Vineyards

DAOU mountain has special features that may make it one of the most unique vineyard locations in California. Paso Robles is the largest geographical  appellation in California and offers a multitude of micro-climates. The Paso Robles growing region in the Santa Lucia Mountain range where DAOU mountain is located, is highly regarded for its unique vineyard qualities. DAOU mountain's combination of southeast and southwest orientation, 2,200 foot elevation, steepness, micro-climate, marine influence and ideal calcareous soils create the perfect conditions to grow exceptionally high quality fruit.

  

In 1964, Dr. Stanley Hoffman was one of the first to discover that high in the west hills of Paso Robles, was the perfect soil and climate for growing world class grapes. He purchased a 1,200 acre ranch and with the assistance of U.C Davis and world renowned enologist Andre Tchelistcheff, Dr. Hoffman planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and founded Hoffman Mountain Ranch Winery. The winery was the first modern commercial winery in Paso Robles. Dr. Hoffman’s Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon earned high accolades in the United States and internationally, helping to establish Paso Robles as a premier grape growing region.

In 2007, Daniel and Georges purchased 100 unplanted acres that were part of the original Hoffman Mountain Ranch, and immediately set forth planting 26 acres. Great wines need more than a great micro-climate to thrive, the vines need to be properly managed to optimize their potential. It is on this point that DAOU mountain differentiates itself from most vineyards. Starting with careful rootstocks selection, the vines are painstakingly planted a mere three feet apart in the rows on 18 inch cordons, with rows six feet across from each other. The vines are pruned to allow for only 8 spurs per vine - an astounding low yield compared to most vineyards, with each vine only producing at most one bottle of wine. For the first phase of the planting, the DAOUs have planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The first vintage from the estate vines is scheduled to be released in 2012.