Left to right: Greg, Jaime, Daphne and Bart Araujo.
In 1990, the Araujos purchased the famous Eisele Vineyard in Calistoga, California, from Milt and Barbara Eisele and established Araujo Estate. They enlisted winemaker Tony Soter and viticulturist David Abreu.
Their debut 1991 vintage earned high praise and affirmed their dedication to preserving the reputation of Eisele’s incomparable terroir, which dates back to 1884. Their conversion of the site to biodynamics and continued success producing classic, structured, ageworthy wines only cemented the status of the 15.38ha site and the Araujo label. Their bottlings became some of the most sought-after Cabernet-based wines in all of Napa.
In 2013, Artémis Domaines, the group controlled by French billionaire François Pinault and family, and which also owns Bordeaux first growth Château Latour, purchased Araujo Estate.
Without skipping a beat, the Araujos launched into their second act and established Accendo Cellars. Françoise Peschon, joined Araujo Estate in 1993 as its on-site winemaker, produces the Accendo Cellars whites, and Nigel Kinsman, another Araujo alumnus crafts the reds.
Both Peschon and Kinsman will retain their roles, and the wines will continue to be produced at Wheeler Farms, based in St Helena, California. The Araujos are also founding partners of Wheeler Farms, a high-end custom crush facility and hospitality centre, which they established in 2014.
Bart Araujo plans to serve in an advisory role as executive chairman over the next six months during the transition of ownership to Jaime and Greg. ‘They have the talent, the passion, and the
