United States · California

Araujo

Araujo Estate was a landmark Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon producer, based on the historic Eisele Vineyard in Calistoga at the northern end of the valley. The vineyard's origins date to 1886, and it first gained fame when it produced the celebrated 1971 and 1974 vintages for Joe Heitz. Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased it in 1990 and immediately converted to biodynamic farming, producing estate-only wines of extreme site specificity. The Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon became one of California's most collectible wines: typically scoring 95–100 points and retailing at $200–300 per bottle. The Araujos also produced Viognier, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from the property. In 2013, the estate was sold to Champagne Pinault's Artemis Domaines (also owners of Château Latour), which rebranded the property as Eisele Vineyard. Auction lots under the Araujo name remain historically significant, with 486 lots averaging $236 and a ceiling of $1,169. The Cabernet Sauvignon from benchmark vintages 2002, 2006, 2012, and 2013 commands the highest prices.