United States · California

DAOU

DAOU Vineyards was founded in 2007 by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou on Adelaida Road in Paso Robles' Adelaida District, where their estate sits at elevations exceeding 2,200 feet with chalky limestone soils that mirror Pauillac. The flagship Soul of a Lion is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend sourced exclusively from this high-elevation estate; the 2017 vintage averages around $310 at auction and earned scores in the high 90s from major critics. Patrimony, the single-vineyard estate Cabernet Sauvignon, averages $245 at auction and is the estate's prestige tier, while the Reserve Cabernet hovers near $175. DAOU's auction relevance accelerated following the 2023 acquisition by Treasury Wine Estates for approximately $900 million, which validated the brand's positioning as Paso Robles' most investable address. The wide price band — from $34 for Discovery to $800 for top lots of Soul of a Lion — reflects a deliberately tiered portfolio. Vertical collections of Soul of a Lion, particularly the 2013 through 2019 run, draw the most competitive bidding. The limestone-driven structure and natural acidity of the estate fruit gives Soul of a Lion a longevity argument that most Paso wines cannot make, supporting continued secondary market activity. Buyers primarily seek Soul of a Lion and Patrimony; the rest of the portfolio trades at or below retail.