The Accendo wine brand, previously owned by siblings Greg and Jaime Araujo, has found its way to a group that is a partnership between vintner Jack Bittner and the Bettinelli family.

The sale encompasses the Accendo brand itself and its existing wine inventory, but does not include any vineyards. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The Accendo wine brand emerged in the wake of a significant family change: Greg and Jaime Araujo's parents, Bart and Daphne Araujo, sold their original brand (Araujo) and the Eisele Vineyard in 2013.

With this transition, Bart Araujo moved beyond the focus on a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga. Bart conceived Accendo as a tribute to the classic, age-worthy, blended Cabernets that were prominent in the 1970s, but now infused with a distinctive Oakville signature.

Under the expert guidance of winemaker Nigel Kinsman, Accendo's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon has achieved remarkable critical acclaim. From its inaugural 2014 vintage through 2022, the wine garnered seven "classic" ratings of 95 points or higher across nine vintages. The 2023 and 2024 vintages of this esteemed wine are still awaiting release.

Interestingly, in 2024, Bart Araujo sold the Accendo brand to his children, Greg and Jaime, as part of the broader Wheeler Farms sale.

Accendo's current annual output stands at roughly 900 cases each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. There are no immediate intentions to scale up this production.

The winemaking team will remain consistent, with Kinsman continuing in the role of winemaker. Production will also carry on at the Wheeler Farms facility, which is presently under the ownership of Suzanne Deal Booth.

Jack Bittner, 55, a former partner at Ovid, divested from that winery two years ago. He now serves as managing partner for Ecotone vineyard, a 20-acre property above St. Helena, just below the Howell Mountain AVA.

Formerly known as Thorevilos, Ecotone was previously farmed by David Abreu under a long-term lease until 2019, when Bittner transitioned farming operations to the Bettinelli family.

The family itself is a major force in Napa Valley viticulture, owning 350 acres of vines and farming an additional 600 acres, making them one of the region's largest premium grape growers. The family business is currently managed by fifth-generation Giancarlo Bettinelli, 44, and his brother-in-law, Paul Goldberg, 42.

A new chapter for Accendo will begin at the Mitchell vineyard in Yountville, set to become the brand's new estate. Under a long-term lease initiated in 2021, the Bettinellis have planted 15 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with their first harvest from this estate expected this year.

88 Bamboo Editorial Team