Araujo Estate is a highly sought-after Californian wine with a loyal following among sommeliers and fine wine collectors. Owners Daphne and Bart Araujo attribute the quality and success of the wine to the "star of the winery", the grapevine. The vineyard has a long history and was established in the 1880s. In 1964 the first cabernet sauvignon vine was planted.
The Araujos have paid meticulous attention to the vineyard and use biodynamic viticultural practices. Biodynamics is a sustainable way of farming and adopts a holistic view of the vineyard. It eschews the use of synthetic chemicals and uses homeopathic methods to address vineyard issues.
Bart believes that "biodynamics has improved vine health. It means the vine never gets too excited and stays calm through stressful periods". For example, drought may suppress vine growth and delay the ripening process. Biodynamics can help produce a balanced wine, more consistency in wine style and less vintage variation.
A minimalist approach is adopted in winemaking. Natural yeasts are used and the wines are not filtered. The goal is to let the wines to show "the purest expression of the vineyard."
The Araujos draw inspiration from first-growth Chateau Latour and admire the wine's "freshness, incredible structure and the ability of the wine to dance on the palate". In a warm growing climate, Californian wines are not known for their subtlety and are characterised by their voluptuous ripe fruit, power and high alcohol content. Araujo is the antithesis of this. The hallmark style of the Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon is old-world restraint, and the wine is replete with "black fruit, blackcurrant, minerality, tobacco and herbal notes".