Peju Province Winery is one of the most recognizable properties on the Rutherford stretch of Highway 29, its distinctive tower rising above gardens that Tony Peju designed himself when he established the estate in 1983. The family-owned winery produces estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford benchland that has built a loyal following among collectors who appreciate the combination of quality and direct family access.

History of Peju Province Winery

Tony and Herta Peju purchased the Rutherford property in 1983 after Tony spotted it on a drive through the valley during a visit from Los Angeles, where he worked as a horticulturist. He designed the winery gardens and the distinctive tower himself over the following years, creating a landmark that stands out on the Highway 29 corridor for its personality rather than its scale.

The winery was formally bonded in 1991 after years of developing the vineyard and building the production facility. Second-generation family members, including daughter Ariana Peju, have joined the operation and taken leadership roles in winemaking and management, extending the family ownership that Tony and Herta established.

Tony Peju designed the tower and the gardens himself after purchasing the Rutherford property in 1983, refusing to hire an outside landscape architect. He wanted the approach to the winery to feel like an arrival at something personal rather than corporate. Three decades later the tower and gardens are among the most photographed stops on Highway 29.

Rutherford benchland vineyards

Peju Province farms estate vineyards on the Rutherford benchland west of Highway 29. Rutherford benchland soil is among the most storied in Napa Valley: well-drained gravelly loam over cobbles and clay that produces Cabernet Sauvignon with the dusty, mineral tannin character known in trade circles as Rutherford Dust.

The estate plantings focus primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with additional blocks of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc on sites where the soils and drainage suit the white varieties. The benchland position provides good air drainage and moderate water stress that concentrates flavors while the morning fog from San Pablo Bay keeps temperatures moderate through much of the summer.

The wines of Peju Province

The flagship is the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from estate fruit and occasionally supplemented with Napa Valley vineyard sources in larger-production years. It represents approachable Rutherford Cabernet with the benchland character accessible to a wider audience than the estate-only bottlings.

Cabernet Franc is the variety that sets Peju apart from many Rutherford estates, produced in enough quantity to establish a distinct identity for the label within the variety. The Franc shows the floral, graphite, and red fruit character the variety achieves on Napa benchland, distinct from its Loire Valley expressions but equally food-friendly. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc round out the white wine lineup.

Food pairings with Peju Province wines

Peju Cabernet Sauvignon, with its Rutherford benchland foundation, works beautifully with classic Napa Valley food: lamb preparations benefit most from the dusty mineral tannins and dark fruit of the wine. A bone-in leg of lamb roasted with garlic and rosemary, or lamb loin chops grilled over oak with herbed butter, give the wine the savory herbal mirrors it needs.

The Cabernet Franc is among the most versatile red wines in the Peju lineup, with enough freshness and floral character to work alongside duck breast, pork tenderloin with cherry reduction, or a simple charcuterie board of cured meats and aged cheeses. The Sauvignon Blanc from the estate is a crisp, aromatic white for grilled fish, oysters, or goat cheese salads where the wine’s herbaceous precision is an asset.

Peju Province Winery: common questions