Arajuo family, and team.

Past to Present

It is a profound honor to work with colleagues and friends whose 75 years of shared experience continue to shape our family’s journey.
— Daphne Araujo
Bart Araujo sorting grapes

Caring for 
Distinct Terroir

We have always been unwavering in our conviction that great wine begins with thoughtful, sustainable farming. When we purchased the Eisele Vineyard in Calistoga in 1990, we worked with like-minded colleagues to convert it to organic and later biodynamic farming, convinced that true site expression can only be achieved through careful stewardship.

Accendo Cellars wine bottle.

Honoring 
Remarkable Vineyards

In 2013, after entrusting Eisele Vineyard to new caretakers, we founded Accendo Cellars as a family, expanding our philosophy to include a carefully curated selection of Napa Valley’s Grand Cru sites. Inspired by the great Napa blends of decades past, Accendo allowed us to craft layered, expressive wines that revealed the soul of the region.

A modern farmhouse with dark siding and large windows stands behind a raised garden bed filled with blooming flowers and greenery on a sunny day.

Cultivating Community

Wheeler Farms was our collaborative winegrowing and hospitality project. We loved the idea of bringing winemakers, viticulturists, and farmers together in a shared space. It became a home for the spirit of learning and partnership that has always guided our work. When it was time to move forward, we left Wheeler Farms in good hands.

A trailer loaded with harvested grapes drives on a dirt path beside rows of grapevines at a vineyard, with trees and a hill in the background.

Returning Home

Rancho Pequeño is a more personal journey: a return to a single vineyard we know by heart. We have gathered a team with whom we share more than 75 years of collective experience and a deep sense of trust: viticulturist Steve Matthiasson; Silverado Farming’s Pete Richmond and Miguel Luna; and winemakers Françoise Peschon and Maayan Koschitzky.

A group of vineyard workers in orange safety vests sit and stand on grape bins, posing for a photo in front of rows of grapevines and hills.

A Common Purpose

We are not just long-time collaborators but colleagues and friends whose shared values and insights inform every decision at the ranch, from soil health to final blends. Rancho Pequeño is not a departure from our past, but a continuation of it, and an expression of our belief that great land reveals its potential when cared for with integrity.

People

Bart & Daphne Araujo

Founders & Proprietors

Greg Araujo

Founder & General Manager

Françoise Peschon

Winemaker

Maayan Koschitzky

Winemaker

Steve Matthiasson

Viticulturist

Pete Richmond & Miguel Luna

Vineyard Managers