About Accendo Cellars
Bart and Daphne Araujo made their name at Calistoga's Eisele Vineyard, running Araujo Estate from 1990 until its sale to Artemis Group in 2013. That same year they founded Accendo, Latin for 'to illuminate', with their children Jaime and Greg, returning to trusted grower relationships: a 13-acre Oakville home property plus fruit from sites like Vine Hill Ranch and Sleeping Lady.
The brand has changed hands twice since: to the Araujo siblings in late 2023, then in 2025 to a group led by vintner Jack Bittner with growers Giancarlo Bettinelli and Paul Goldberg. Continuity runs through the cellar, Nigel Kinsman remains winemaker, with co-winemaker Françoise Peschon and consultant Michel Rolland, and through the model: allocation-list sales and private, by-appointment tastings at Wheeler Farms near St. Helena.
The family that made Eisele Vineyard famous started over in 2013, and named the new label for the Latin verb 'to illuminate.'
What Wino Notion Loved
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Araujo rootsFounders Bart and Daphne Araujo previously owned Calistoga's Eisele Vineyard, running Araujo Estate from 1990 until its 2013 sale to Artemis Group.
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New owners, same winemakerA 2025 sale brought in vintner Jack Bittner with growers the Bettinelli family and Paul Goldberg, while Nigel Kinsman stayed on as winemaker.
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Grower-drivenFruit comes from a 13-acre Oakville home property, about 10 acres planted, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, plus partner vineyards across Napa Valley.
"Post-Araujo, Accendo remains a grower-driven, allocation-first Napa cabernet house with genuine pedigree."
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Featured Wines
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Accendo Cabernet Sauvignon
2022 · Napa Valley
A master blend built from top grower sites, including Vine Hill Ranch and Sleeping Lady.
Allocation
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Accendo Sauvignon Blanc
2024 · Napa Valley
Modeled after white Bordeaux, drawing on estate Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musqué, and Sémillon plantings.
Allocation
CABERNET BLEND
Laurea
2023 · Napa Valley
A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
Allocation
Current releases as listed at accendoestate.com, July 2026; sold primarily through the estate's allocation list, with no prices published.
Tasting Experiences
Book on Tock →Private tasting at Wheeler Farms
By-appointment private tastings at the Wheeler Farms winery on Zinfandel Lane south of St. Helena, pitched to serious enthusiasts and collectors; no regular public hours.
By appointment
Allocation list
Wines sell primarily through the allocation list, with selective distribution in California, Florida, New York, and Texas.
List access
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