Skip to content

United States · California

Futo

Futo is a small Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon producer founded by the Tsuji family, who also own the acclaimed B Cellars in Oakville. Established in the mid-2000s, Futo focuses on estate-grown fruit from Oak Knoll District and Oakville, with a particular emphasis on individual block designates and blends that reflect specific Napa terroirs. The winery's name is Japanese for 'boldly' or 'generously,' signaling an intentionally powerful, concentrated stylistic approach. The primary wines are the OVSL (Oak Valley Spring Lake) blend, the Red (a multi-block Cabernet Sauvignon blend), and the 5500 Cabernet Sauvignon, which takes its name from the elevation figure associated with mountain fruit — though the wines are valley floor sourced. With 264 auction lots averaging $180 per bottle and a price ceiling of $523, Futo occupies the premium but not ultra-luxury tier of Napa Cabernet at auction. Production is small, with annual output reportedly under 2,000 cases across all labels, which supports secondary market scarcity. Futo has attracted attention from collectors seeking alternatives to Harlan, Screaming Eagle, and other Napa trophy wines; it has received scores in the 95–99-point range from major critics. The price floor of $100 per bottle indicates consistent baseline demand even for less celebrated vintages.

Futo produces fewer than 2,000 cases annually across all labels, with the flagship OVSL (Oak Valley Spring Lake) blend limited to a few hundred cases, creating genuine secondary market scarcity.
Auction prices range $100–$523 per bottle with an average of $180, placing Futo in the prestige Napa tier below trophy labels like Harlan or Screaming Eagle but above mid-tier Oakville producers.
Critics including Robert Parker and Wine Advocate reviewers have awarded multiple Futo vintages 95–99 points, providing the critical validation that sustains collector demand in the secondary market.
The Tsuji family's dual ownership of B Cellars and Futo gives them access to premium fruit sources across Oak Knoll and Oakville, and their estate vineyard investments since the 2000s have been reflected in improving wine quality.

Auction Lots

1,048

Avg Price / Bottle

$246

Top Vintage

2012

Price Range

$62 – $2.3k

In the Glass

Concentrated, structured Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: dense blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum with cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, and toasted oak. The Oakville and Oak Knoll sites contribute gravel-driven mineral depth rather than purely fat fruit. Tannins are polished but firm, with the structure for 15–20 years of development. With time, the wine develops cigar box, dried herb, and mineral complexity alongside the ripe, generous Napa core.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
RedRed$2665882012
5500 Cabernet SauvignonRed$3071922013
OVRed$1551342010
OVSLRed$1601342013

Top Auction Houses

klwines

610 lots

spectrum

271 lots

hdh

61 lots

brentwood

41 lots

zachys

7 lots

Futo is based in the California wine region.

Explore California auction data →

Find Live Futo Auctions

Search active lots from Sotheby's, Christie's, Acker and 6 more houses.

Search Futo wines →