Beverage of the Week (B.O.W)

The Peju story begins as many others in the 1980s Napa Valley relenting to the siren song of the valley. In this case the Napa Valley was a powerful lure for Tony and Herta Peju. The Pejus had built a successful floral and nursery business in Los Angeles. It all started with one florist shop in Hollywood bought in 1969 with financing leveraged from Tony’s new mustang car and some cash from Herta.

The Peju’s winery was born in 1982 when they purchased a 30-acre property in Rutherford between Highway 29 and the Napa River. While they were far from wine pros at the time, the Pejus did know that with real estate, location is key. Their new vineyard property had substantial location credentials being flanked by vineyards owned by Robert Mondavi, Beaulieu Vineyards, and the Rubicon Estate.

Tony Peju soon immersed himself in winemaking studies at U.C. Davis and results came quickly. In 1986 his Cabernet Sauvignon won a “Double Gold” medal at the California State Fair, the first of many awards and medals to come.

In 1996, Tony Peju found an ideal property in the Pope Valley a few miles northeast of the Rutherford estate. This 350-acre property is quite different than their home ranch being at an elevation of 2,000 feet and considerably drier. This property, known as the “Persephone Vineyard,” provides the majority of the grapes that make-up the Peju Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The long, hot sunny days and cool nights in the Persephone Vineyard produce grapes that are concentrated and rich while ideally balanced with vibrant acidity. It’s a brilliant wine that is drinking perfectly today but it is also well-suited for cellaring for another five years.