Araujo Estate was established when Bart and Daphne Araujo acquired the celebrated Eisele Vineyard in 1990, beginning a 23-year period in which the estate became recognised as one of Napa Valley’s great wine estates. Located just east of Calistoga at the foot of the Palisades Mountains, Eisele Vineyard had already established an exceptional reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Araujos extensively replanted the vineyard, introduced organic farming in 1998 and Biodynamic practices from 2000, and built the estate winery and caves. In 2013 the property was acquired by the Pinault family’s Artémis Domaines, owners of Château Latour, and is today known simply as Eisele Vineyard.

Syrah has a surprisingly long history at Eisele Vineyard, with the variety first planted here in 1978. After discovering a small number of surviving Syrah vines within a Cabernet block, the Araujos developed a dedicated Syrah programme, producing a tiny quantity of one of Napa Valley’s most distinctive expressions of the variety. Rich and concentrated yet characteristically refined, it typically offers blackberry, plum and dark fruit with violet, pepper, liquorice, dark chocolate and spice, together with supple tannins and a mineral edge. Some vintages also incorporate a small proportion of Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah, adding aromatic lift to a wine that combines Syrah’s exotic, powerful character with the elegance of the Eisele terroir.  Pairs well with roast lamb, venison, grilled beef or slow-cooked short ribs, as well as richly flavoured dishes featuring rosemary, black pepper or earthy mushrooms.

"Although production is tiny (300 cases), Araujo’s Eisele Vineyard Syrah is an ageworthy effort that is generally co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier (around 4%), and aged in French oak (50% new). The 2003 Syrah Eisele Vineyard reveals a wonderful blackberry, chocolate, and peppery-scented nose along with good subtlety as well as authoritative richness, power, and purity. It is a stunning Syrah that should last a decade even though it will provide immediate gratification."  Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Dec 2006