Accendo Cellars was founded in 2013 by Napa cult wine icons Bart and Daphne Araujo of the former Araujo Estate Wines (now known as Eisele Vineyards). After selling one of the region's top wineries, the pair launched a multi-generational family winery, sourcing cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc across multiple of the Valley's top vineyards. Now a little over a decade old, Accendo wines have grown into one of the region's most distinguished wines, continuing to expand their project and continue the Araujo legacy.
Accendo Cellars: Born from the Araujo Family Estate
In 1990, Bart and Daphne Araujo bought Napa Valley's long-lived Eisele Vineyard, located east of Calistoga, and opened Araujo Estate Wines. Releasing the first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage in 1991, the pair quickly partnered with spectacular winemaker Francoise Peschon and landed top consultant, Michel Rolland, to further refine the winemaking. The estate quickly became one of Napa's top wineries, differentiating itself from other Napa cult wines with fresh and structured European-styled wines.
After 20+ years of top winemaking, Araujo Estates was sold to Francois Pinault and his family, adding to their collection of top luxury brands including Chateau Latour. The group changed the estate's name to Eisele Vineyard shortly after, leaving the Araujo family without a winery. Later that year, the Araujos founded Accendo Cellars, aiming to create a family winery with the help of their children, Jaime and Greg.
Multiple Vineyard Philosophy from Accendo Winery
Accendo Cellars operates from a single, state-of-the-art facility, Wheeler Farms, located in Napa's famed St. Helena AVA. Rather than using a single-vineyard philosophy that benefitted Araujo Estates, the family opted to acquire fruit from multiple sites in Napa Valley, fusing various terroirs and styles for the final blends. With eight vineyards under Accendo wines, the estate creates cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, and a Bordeaux blend from these vineyards.
The cabernet vineyards are located in the "Gold Coast" of western Oakville and Yountville, noted for being some of Napa's top locations. The vineyards for the bottle are as follows:
- Vine Hill Ranch
- M-Bar Ranch
- Sleeping Lady
- Ecotone
- Terravina at Upper Range
- Diamond Mountain
- Rancho Pequeno
- Ryan's Vineyards
Each of the vineyards possesses a unique quality in Accendo wines, with the Araujos working with the various winemakers and winemaking families for different lengths of time. Vine Hill Ranch is the longest-running vineyard while Terravina at Upper Range is the newest addition.
Accendo Wines: Top-Rated Vintages from Napa Valley
Accendo Cellars produces wine across three labels- the flagship cabernet sauvignon, underrated sauvignon blanc, and Bordeaux-blend Laurea. Additionally, the winery has recently diversified into making Italian brandy, or Grappa, after the family was introduced to the drink in the early 1990s in Europe.
Accendo Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate's main label, created to be enjoyed young or stored in the cellar for extended aging. Described as vibrant and elegant by the Accendo winemakers, the main inspiration comes from Napa wines of the mid-20th century, many of which use fruit from multiple vineyards and were intended to be consumed shortly after production.
One of the top Accendo Cabernet Sauvignon is the inaugural 2013 vintage, which Antonio Galloni called "a very pretty wine" with Wine Spectator adding further praise, stating it is "A very well-rendered wine that's set up for a bit more evolution." Take this chance to add one of Napa's newest cabernet icons to your cellar, with multiple vintages available in our collection. When you drink Accendo, you are drinking an Araujo family classic and a Napa legacy.
