PEJU
2024 Cabernet Franc
"Dancing with the Stars"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 30 | Lot No. 40
Vintage: 2024
PEJU
Cabernet Franc
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From the heart of Rutherford comes our 2024 Cabernet Franc from our Leo & Aries Blocks
- 100% Rutherford, 100% Estate, 100% CCOF Certified Organic Vineyard 100% Cabernet Franc
- Our Leo and Aries blocks capture the purity and structure that defines Rutherford.
- Fine-grained 'Rutherford Dust', tannins frame this delicious wine while leaving a lasting impression
Description
From the heart of their Rutherford estate, this 2024 Cabernet Franc emerges from two tiny estate-grown blocks—Leo and Aries—each 2.65 acres and fully CCOF-certified organic. Clone 327.1 lends structure, while Clone 4.1 contributes luminous energy, coalescing in a rare celestial harmony. Aged in 85% new French oak, this wine reflects the precision of small-block viticulture and the integrity of organic, estate farming. It’s a focused expression that channels the dusty cosmos of the Rutherford terroir, where soil, climate, and vine converge in balance. This wine embodies the unique spirit of these blocks, crafted to showcase the estate’s dedication to highlighting the vineyard’s distinct character and the appellation’s famous identity.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
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.
Lakeshore Sport & Fitness
1320 West Fullerton
Chicago IL 60614
312-730-7333
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Lakeshore Sport & Fitness:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2023 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | The Vista | 29 (2025) |
| STEREOGRAPH | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 29 (2025) | |
| VGS Chateau Potelle | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 40th Anniversary Cuvée | 29 (2025) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Valley's Beauty | 28 (2024) |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | New Beginnings 2.0 | 28 (2024) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Bohemian Thrill | 27 (2023) |
| Hyde Vineyard Estate | 2022 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 27 (2023) |
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)