PEJU
2023 Cabernet Franc
"The GOAT"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 15
Vintage: 2023
PEJU
Cabernet Franc
Rutherford
10 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Cabernet Franc from our CCOF Certified Organic Rutherford estate vineyard, Aries Block
- Our Aries Block is big, bold, dark and delicious, with dark red and black fruit melded with savory herbs
- Aging in 100% new French oak that harmonized with the flavor profile of this delightful Cab Franc
Description
The GOAT is a bold and unforgettable expression of Cabernet Franc from the Aries Block, a prized section of our HB Vineyard in Rutherford. Certified organic by CCOF, this vineyard showcases our commitment to sustainable farming and the purity of our terroir.
Big, bold, dark and delicious, The GOAT entices with layers of dark red and black fruits seamlessly intertwined with savory herbs. Aging exclusively in 100% new French oak, the barrels enhance the wine’s luxurious texture and elevate its complex flavor profile.
Crafted exclusively for Premiere Napa Valley, this limited-edition wine is a celebration of PEJU's legacy of excellence. With every sip, The GOAT captures the power and finesse of our Rutherford estate, making it a true standout in any collection.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
- Wine is produced in a Napa Green winery
Sara Fowler
Winemaker, PEJU
Sara Fowler has been named Best Local Winemaker by Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Sara began working harvests and summers at Kendall-Jackson, and then pivoted to studying enology at Fresno State and becoming a winemaker. When she arrived at PEJU in 2006 her first mission was to transition the estate vineyard into being organically farmed, which was accomplished in September 2007. Today she supervises the farming of the winery’s six estate vineyards in four different sub-AVAs of the Napa Valley.
Over the past few decades, Sara has traveled the world representing the Napa Valley as a speaker, guest panelist, and wine educator. Sara currently lives in St. Helena, her interests include travel, gourmet cooking, hiking, and Bocce. She has been actively involved with the Rutherford Dust Society since 1999, and was Board Vice President (2023-2025), Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grape Growers, Wine Tech and ASEV (American Society for Enology and Viticulture.
Country born: United States
Education: Fresno State - Enology & Viticulture
Worked abroad in Chile for Veramonte
Mentors: Jed Steele, Larry Levin, Michel Rolland
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Voted Best Local Winemaker in Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018
Winemaking Philosophy:
Known throughout the Napa Valley as a master blender, Sara has brought along a wealth of knowledge and creativity into the cellar since joining Peju in 2006. Sara's passion for Bordeaux varietals and knack for innovative blending make her the perfect fit to lead Peju's winemaking team. Her artisic approach towards crafting wine focuses on taking the best components from the Peju estate vineyards and blending them to create the finest possible finished product.
In September 2007, Sara headed Peju's efforts to gain organic certification in the Rutherford Vineyard and she is overseeing the winery's sustainable farming efforts in the Persephone and Wappo Vineyards with organic certification goals in the near future. This method of grape farming not only preserves the land and creates balance in the vineyard, but it also enhances the quality of the fruit.
Aficionado's Wine & Spirits
#39 Frances Street Amelia Industrial Park Suite 102
Guaynabo PR 00968
Puerto Rico
787-775-8060
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Aficionado's Wine & Spirits:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arietta | 2023 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | Lot 88-111 | 29 (2025) |
| AXR Napa Valley | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Redwood Block | 29 (2025) |
| Ehlers Estate | 2023 | Red Table Wine | St. Helena | Leducq | 29 (2025) |
| Gemstone | 2024 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 29 (2025) | |
| PEJU | 2023 | Cabernet Franc | Rutherford | The GOAT | 29 (2025) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Oakville 5ive | 29 (2025) |
| Blackbird Vineyards | 2022 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Star Coach | 28 (2024) |
| CourAvant | 2023 | Red Table Wine | St. Helena | 28 (2024) | |
| Erikson & Caradin | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Ivy & Thistle | 28 (2024) |
| Force & Grace | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Krupp Brothers | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Blue Eagle | 28 (2024) |
| VinRoc | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Red Lava | 28 (2024) |
| World's End | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | New Beginnings | 27 (2023) |
| Hesperian Wines | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | KITOKO VINEYARDS | 27 (2023) |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chiles Valley District | 27 (2023) | |
| Foley Johnson | 2019 | Red Table Wine | Rutherford | Estate Meritage | 26 (2022) |
| Priest Ranch | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Everest Select | 26 (2022) |
| Rubia Wine Cellars | 2021 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | Martinez Vineyard | 26 (2022) |
| Ehlers Estate | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 18 (2014) |
Winery Distribution
PEJU is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alabama (M&J wines )
- Arizona (MAVERICK BEVERAGE CO )
- Arkansas (SOUTHERN GLAZER'S)
- California (WNEBOW FINE WINE AND SPIRITS )
- Colorado (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Connecticut (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- Delaware (WINEBOW FINE WINE )
- District of Columbia (Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits)
- Florida (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Georgia (EMPIRE DISTRIBUTING)
- Hawaii (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Idaho (CS BEVERAGE BOISE)
- Illinois (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Indiana (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Iowa (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Kentucky (RNDC)
- Louisiana (SELECT WINES)
- Maryland (WNEBOW FINE WINE AND SPIRITS )
- Massachusetts (RUBY WINES)
- Michigan (VINTAGE WNE COMPANY)
- Minnesota (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Mississippi (RNDC)
- Missouri (LOHR)
- Missouri (LOHR DISTRIBUTING)
- Nebraska (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Nevada (CORK DISTRIBUTORS, TAVERN CRAFT)
- New Jersey (WINEBOW)
- New York (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- North Carolina (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- North Dakota (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Ohio (SOUTHERN GLAZER'S)
- Oklahoma (PREMIUM BRANDS)
- Oregon (ANW DISTRIBUTORS )
- Pennsylvania (NORTHERN WINE)
- South Carolina (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- South Dakota (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Tennessee (LIPMAN BROTHERS)
- Tennessee (EMPIRE DISTRIBUTORS, LIPMAN BROTHERS)
- Texas (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Utah (RNDC)
- Vermont (FARRELL DISTRIBUTING)
- Virginia (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Washington (VEHRS DISTRIBUTING)
- West Virginia (JOHNSON BROTHERS)
- Wisconsin (GENERAL BEVERAGE)
- Wyoming (RNDC)
International:
- Canada - Alberta (Fluid Imports )
- Canada - Ontario (Le Sommelier )
- Dominican Republic (Varietals Worldwide)
- South Korea (LOTTE CHILSUNG BEVERAGE CO. LTC)