Eisele Vineyard Estate

Eisele Vineyard Estate is a prestigious winery in Napa Valley, California, producing highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Its wines are sought after by collectors and have a strong reputation in the wine market.

Eisele Vineyard Estate traces its identity to a historic vineyard in Calistoga, California. The site was planted in the 1880s with Zinfandel and Riesling and later received Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in 1964. Before the Araujos acquired it, the vineyard was associated with Milt and Barbara Eisele, whose ownership gave the vineyard its enduring name. Eisele Vineyard also supplied fruit for notable early vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings, including a 1971 Ridge Vineyards wine and bottlings made by Joseph Phelps beginning in 1975. Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased the 162-acre property, including the 38-acre Eisele Vineyard, in 1990. Bart came from home building and mortgage banking, while Daphne had a background in landscape architecture. Their initial goal was to own a historic vineyard, but they concluded that an on-site winery would allow them to oversee the complete process. They built a redwood winery modeled on a barn and excavated caves into a hillside. The first Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon made by the Araujos was released from the 1991 vintage. During the Araujo period, the estate became one of Napa Valley's best-known small-production wineries. Its Cabernet Sauvignon was the core product and was produced in quantities averaging about 2,000 cases annually. The estate also made Altagracia, a second Cabernet-based wine, together with small volumes of Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Viognier. Winemaking involved a succession of recognized professionals, including Tony Soter, Mia Klein, Françoise Peschon, and consultant Michel Rolland. Critical attention helped establish the winery as a so-called cult producer, with recognition from Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The Araujos progressively formalized an environmentally focused farming program. Organic farming began in 1998, followed by the adoption of biodynamic practices. Demeter certification was achieved in 2002. The vineyard's alluvial-fan position and mineral-rich cobbly soils became important elements in the estate's presentation of its wines as expressions of place rather than simply varietal products. In 2013, François Pinault acquired Araujo Estate Wines and Eisele Vineyard through Artémis. The 2013 vintage was the last to carry the Araujo name. The property was subsequently renamed Eisele Vineyard Estate, restoring the vineyard's historic name as the principal brand identity. The first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage under the new ownership was reported to have earned a 100-point Robert Parker score. The renamed estate continues as a small, prestige-oriented Napa Valley wine producer built around Eisele Vineyard and limited-production estate wines.

1. 2016Rebranding as Eisele Vineyard Estate

   The estate adopted the Eisele Vineyard Estate name; 2013 was the last vintage released under the Araujo name.

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2. 2013Artémis acquisition

   Artémis acquired the estate and vineyard from the Araujo family.

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3. 2002Biodynamic certification

   Eisele Vineyard received Demeter biodynamic certification.

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4. 1998Organic farming begins

   The Araujos began farming Eisele Vineyard organically.

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5. 1991First Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon vintage

   The estate released its first Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon made under Araujo ownership.

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6. 1990The Araujos acquire the estate

   Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased the 162-acre Calistoga property containing the 38-acre Eisele Vineyard.

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7. 1964Cabernet Sauvignon introduced

   Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted at the vineyard, establishing the variety that later became its defining product.

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8. 1880Early vineyard plantings

   The property that became Eisele Vineyard was originally planted with Zinfandel and Riesling in the 1880s.

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A prestige, estate-grown Napa Valley winery focused on limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, organic and biodynamic viticulture, and the expression of a historic single vineyard.

• Eisele Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon1991

  The estate's flagship wine and principal expression of the Eisele Vineyard. It is made in limited quantities from the site's Cabernet Sauvignon plantings and has been the primary focus of the winery's critical reputation. The wine was produced under the Araujo name before the estate adopted Eisele Vineyard Estate, with the vineyard and its alluvial, cobbly soils serving as central elements of its identity.

• AltagraciaCabernet-based red wine

  A second Cabernet-based red wine made by the estate alongside its flagship Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It forms part of the winery's small portfolio and reflects the property's focus on structured Napa Valley red wines rather than a broad mass-market range.

• Estate Sauvignon BlancSauvignon Blanc

  A small-production estate wine made from Sauvignon Blanc. It is a supporting offering within the winery's narrow portfolio, complementing the Cabernet-focused red wines.

• Estate SyrahSyrah

  A limited estate-grown Syrah produced in small quantities. It is part of the property's broader but still highly selective range of varietal wines.

• Estate ViognierViognier

  A small-production Viognier from the estate's limited portfolio, produced alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and the Cabernet-centered red wines.

• 2016Rebranding around Eisele VineyardStrategy

  After the ownership transition, the brand identity was shifted from the Araujo family name to the historic vineyard name.

  What changed. Araujo Estate Wines was renamed Eisele Vineyard Estate, while the 2013 vintage was the last to bear the Araujo name.

  Aftermath. The rebrand emphasized the estate's established vineyard identity and supported its positioning as a distinct Napa Valley terroir.

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• 2013Sale to ArtémisM&A

  The Araujo family estate and Eisele Vineyard were acquired by François Pinault through Artémis.

  What changed. Ownership transferred from Bart and Daphne Araujo to Artémis Domaines.

  Aftermath. The estate later changed its name from Araujo Estate Wines to Eisele Vineyard Estate and continued as a terroir-focused Napa Valley producer.

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• 2016Araujo Estate Wines is renamed Eisele Vineyard Estate

  Following the ownership transition, the estate adopted the Eisele Vineyard Estate name and placed greater emphasis on the historic vineyard and its terroir.

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• 2013Artémis acquires Araujo Estate Wines and Eisele Vineyard

  François Pinault's Artémis holding group acquired the Napa Valley estate and its historic vineyard, bringing the property into the portfolio associated with Château Latour.

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• 2013First Cabernet vintage under new ownership receives a 100-point score

  The first Cabernet Sauvignon identified with the new ownership was reported to have received a 100-point Robert Parker score.

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1. Eisele Vineyard Estate