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Latour owner buys Araujo Estate in Napa
French billionaire François Pinault, owner of Bordeaux first growth Château Latour, has bought Araujo Estate in the Napa Valley.
François Pinault has added Araujo Estate in Napa to his growing wine portfolio
The sale of the revered, 65-hectare, Californian estate for an undisclosed sum was conducted through Pinault’s holding company, Artemis Group.
In buying the estate Pinault has acquired the jewel in Araujo’s crown – its 15-hectare Eisele Vineyard, bought by owners Bart and Daphne Araujo in 1990 and now farmed biodynamically to produce high-end Cabernet Sauvignon.
Coincidentally, Frédéric Engerer, CEO of Château Latour, has been experimenting with biodynamics at the first growth in recent years.
“The Artémis Group is the perfect buyer of this amazing vineyard we have called home for 23 years.
“The rich heritage of Château Latour combined with the family’s passion for the wine business, commitment to excellence, and extraordinary track record assures that the stewardship of Araujo Estate will continue with the best of care and intentions,” the Araujo’s said in a statement.
In response, Engerer described Araujo as “one of the most respected wine estates in the world.”
“Araujo Estate has been producing consistently one of the very best wines of Napa Valley.
“We would very much like to pay tribute to the exceptional work of Bart and Daphne Araujo, their pioneering vision and dedication to excellence,” he said.
All staff, including the entire winemaking team, will remain with the estate under its new owners. Bart and Daphne are expected to stay on until next January to assist in the transition.
Located southeast of Calistoga, the Eisele Vineyard dates back to 1884. Having snapped it up in 1990, the Araujos hired Michel Rolland to consult for the estate.
The single vineyard is one of the most prestigious in the Napa Valley, with a history of making stellar Cabernets since the ‘70s, including bottlings by Joseph Phelps.
In addition to Latour and Araujo, Pinault and his son François-Henri own Domaine d’Eugenie in Vosne-Romanée and Chateau Grillet in the northern Rhône. François-Henri Pinault is married to Mexican actress Salma Hayek.