Daou Vineyards makes some of the best wine to come out of the Paso Robles region in California. Known for its luxurious Cabernet Sauvignon, Daou Vineyards takes pride in going the extra mile in wine-making.
Let's learn about the Daou family's journey from Lebanon to California, Daou Mountain, the infamous Daou Cabernet Sauvignon, the best wine pairings for said Cabernet Sauvignon, and the other wines that Daou Vineyards has to offer.
From Lebanon to California
Paso Robles, California, maybe the endpoint of the Daou Vineyards story, but it's far from the beginning. The story begins seven thousand miles away in Lebanon. The Daou family's love for rural, country life started there, among the olive trees and nature.
The story isn't as linear as you might think. The Daou family didn't just hop over to the sunny West Coast and immediately jump into the world of wine. No, on the contrary. They emigrated to France first, where they first developed a passion for wine.
Daou brothers Georges and Daniel decided they wanted to be involved in wine in France.
In the 1980s, Georges and Daniel Daou traveled overseas to California. They didn't immediately jump into the wine industry, but they still held a passion for wine. After graduating from UC San Diego with engineering degrees in different fields, they started Daou Systems. The goal of DAOU Systems was to "revolutionize hospital computer systems." The company did tremendously well but eventually decided to sell in 1998.
Daniel was already making wine out of his garage and learning everything he possibly could about Cabernet Sauvignon. He wanted to be a wine-maker. With the help of his brother, he decided to buy some land in Paso Robles and go for it. And the rest is history!
It wasn't until 2013 that the Daou Winery was officially established and underway. Although Daou Vineyards has only been around for the last ten years, the brand only took a decade to grow an unbelievable following. Daou Vineyards has quickly and successfully become known for its luxurious Cabernet.
What started as a joke with their father about making wine turned into a whirlwind of wine-making success years later.
DAOU Mountain
DAOU Mountain is where all the wine-making magic happens. According to the Maestro, André Tchelistcheff, DAOU Mountain is a "jewel of ecological elements."
At 2,200 feet, DAOU Mountain sits on the hills of the Adelaida district. Before it was known as DAOU Mountain, it was known as Hoffman Mountain Ranch.
To make great wine, you need extraordinary terroir, which is precisely what DAOU Mountain has. The terroir is the environment that allows the wine to be great, including the soil and climate.
Georges and Daniel Daou searched far and wide for the perfect soil to grow Cabernet and Bordeaux varieties. The chalky soil gives Daou wines the ideal amount of acidity.
The Mediterranean-like climate is perfect because of the Pacific Ocean breeze. The warm days and cool nights give the vines the ideal ripening balance.
Daou Cabernet Sauvignon
Now, what does Daou Vineyards has to offer? Quite a bit.
Daou Vineyards is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything goes through a meticulous process to make exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux-style wines. The grapes are handpicked and hand-assorted to ensure perfection. This tedious process creates a wine with no hard tannins. Instead, the silky tannins make a balanced, approachable wine with an irresistible palate.
The most recent Daou Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied and bold, with black olive, eucalyptus, and fennel notes. The inviting notes of black raspberry, pomegranate, fig, cranberry, and many others mold together to make an effortless Cabernet.
Each Cabernet Sauvignon release is a bit different. There are subtle differences that you can taste. For example, the Daou Soul Of A Lion Cabernet Sauvignon may have some similarities to the 2021 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon. They both have black raspberry and cherry notes; however, the Soul Of A Lion also has notes of cassis and currant.
According to the Daou brothers, Daou Wines are meant to be enjoyed upon release for the best experience.
The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairings
The absolute best food pairing with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon is a nice, juicy steak. You can't beat it. Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with any red meat. You can pair it with a prime rib, a burger, barbecue, sausage, and lamb.
If you want something a bit lighter, pair it with a charcuterie board with an assortment of cheeses. Be sure to include a cheddar and a gouda—the more intense and aged the cheese, the better.
Ultimately, you want to pair your Cabernet Sauvignon with something heavier rather than lighter.
Want to learn more about red wine and food pairings? Check out The Best Red Wine Food Pairings To Try In 2023.
More Daou Wines
Yes, Cabernet Sauvignon may be Daou's pride and joy, but there's so much more where that came from.
Daou has an extensive collection of wine, including quite a few white wines. If you're a fan of white wines, don't rule Daou Vineyards out quite yet. Engulf your palate with the balanced acidity and exquisite aromas of Daou's Chardonnay. With lovely notes of exotic fruits, it's hard to miss its bursting nature.
Besides the Chardonnay, Daou offers a beautifully structured Sauvignon Blanc with mouthwatering flavors. It has floral notes that are crisp and juicy on the palate.
Are you looking for a Rosé? The Daou Rosé is made with Grenache grapes that give the Rosé a fragrant and floral feel. It's refreshing with delicious notes of peach, mango, and apricot.
Daou also carries a selection of other red wines!
