Araujo Estate Wines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wine production |
| Predecessor | Araujo Estate Wines (until 2016) |
| Founded | Expression error: Unrecognized word "dd"., 1990 |
| Founder | Bart Araujo, Daphne Araujo |
| Headquarters | Calistoga , United States |
Area served | Napa Valley AVA, California |
Key people | Bart Araujo, Daphne Araujo, François Pinault (owner since 2013) |
| Products | Cabernet Sauvignon, Altagracia, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier wines |
| Owner | François Pinault (since 2013) |
| Website | eiselevineyard |
Eisele Vineyard Estate (formerly known as Araujo Estate Wines until 2016) is a distinguished California wine property established by entrepreneurs Bart and Daphne Araujo. Situated in Calistoga, California, within the boundaries of the Calistoga and Napa Valley AVA regions, the estate crafts limited-quantity wines from the Eisele Vineyard, which is cultivated using organic and biodynamic farming methods.
Celebrated as one of California's elite "cult" wineries, the estate has garnered prestigious industry honors, including a "five star" rating from Wine Spectator critic James Laube and recognition in Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The World's Greatest Wine Estates. The premier Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon achieved "First Growth" classification according to Fine Magazine's Napa Valley Classification, highlighting its significant market stature and competitive edge.
History
In 1990, Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased a 162-acre property in Calistoga, which encompassed the 38-acre Eisele Vineyard. This historic vineyard was initially planted in the 1880s with Zinfandel and Riesling, with Cabernet Sauvignon vines added in 1964. Bart brought expertise from home construction and mortgage finance, while Daphne contributed her background in landscape architecture. Their objective was to oversee both vineyard management and winemaking processes directly, prompting the establishment of a winery featuring hillside caves soon after acquisition.
The inaugural vintage of Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was released in 1991. To ensure exceptional quality and elevate brand prestige, the winery partnered with acclaimed winemakers including Tony Soter, Mia Klein, Françoise Peschon, and consultant Michel Rolland. The wines have consistently received top scores from Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, bolstering both financial success and brand reputation.
In 2013, François Pinault, a French entrepreneur and owner of Chateau Latour through Groupe Artémis, acquired Araujo Estate Wines along with the Eisele Vineyard. This strategic purchase broadened Pinault’s footprint within the luxury wine sector worldwide. The estate’s final vintage under the Araujo name was produced in 2013; thereafter, it was rebranded as Eisele Vineyard Estate to highlight its distinctive terroir. The inaugural vintage under new ownership earned a landmark 100-point score from Robert Parker, strengthening its market position and acclaim for superior quality.
The Eisele Vineyard
The vineyard takes its name from original proprietors Milt and Barbara Eisele and is celebrated for producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. It provided grapes for one of California’s earliest vineyard-designated Cabernets—a 1971 release by Ridge Vineyards. Joseph Phelps also began bottling an Eisele-designated wine starting in 1975. Positioned on an alluvial fan in northern Napa Valley, the site features cobble-strewn, mineral-dense soils that are optimal for cultivating premium grapes.
Since acquiring this vineyard, Bart and Daphne Araujo have maintained organic farming practices since 1998 and transitioned fully to biodynamics by 2002, earning Demeter certification. This deliberate evolution aligns with the estate’s dedication to sustainable viticulture while reinforcing its standing within the high-end wine market.
Wine Production
Araujo Estate Wines crafts around 2,000 cases each year of its premier Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The collection also features Altagracia, another Cabernet-centric wine, as well as select estate-grown varieties including Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, and Viognier. This varied assortment enhances the brand’s position within the premium wine sector.