Entrepreneurs Daniel and Georges Daou never realized that their love for wine and olive oil would one day lead them to abandon a successful career in the high-tech industry. Having grown up in France, they remember their Father having a glass of wine daily at lunch and dinner. Wine was part of their daily lives and often was the center of the meal. The Daou brothers immigrated to the United States in the late 1970’s and early 80’s and both successfully graduated with Electrical and Computer engineering degrees from the University of California in San Diego. In 1997, they took the first company they had founded 10 years earlier, public. Their Initial Public Offering (IPO) was one of the most successful that year on Wall Street.

Continuing their career in the high-tech industry for another decade, the Daou brothers founded and invested in many successful ventures until both realized that it was time to pursue a career they were more passionate about.  This new journey would allow them to use their skills and unique attention to detail, to produce quality, award winning wines and olive oils.

The first stop was Paso Robles, California—once there the brothers very quickly fell in love with the region. The wines in the region had a great personality while displaying a fleshy character combined with a great bouquet.  The Daou brothers believe that Paso Robles incorporate the best qualities of the Bordeaux and the Rhone regions in France. After carefully studying the region and analyzing the different vineyards in the area, the first portfolio of wines which blends different varieties that traditionally grow in different regions in France, was produced.  

In 2007, the Daou brothers partnered and invested in a very successful winery in the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. The winery, Paralelo, is led by the famous and very skilled winemaker, Hugo D’Acosta. D’Acosta is the most prestigious winemaker in the valley. Being called the “high priest of Baja wines” by the New York Times, D’Acosta received his PhD in Montpelier, France.  Also, he has worked with noted vintners in Napa, Italy, as well as Australia.  Before settling on his current projects in the valley, D’Acosta was the winemaker for 14 years at Santo Tomas (the region’s oldest winery dating from 1888).  He brings a fierce intellect to the questions of viticulture, winemaking, and marketing and is the winemaker and partner at Paralelo.

Having a heritage which stems from the mountains of Lebanon, famous for Cedar and Olive trees which are thousands of years old, the Daou brothers have also introduced a new line of high-end olive oil.  The oil is produced from an old stone-crushed press and is left unfiltered and unfined. All the trees are dry-farmed and are pesticide free.  The new line is called Romanos and comes in several different flavors including Strong (Forte), Dolce (Sweet), and Liscio (Smooth) to cater to different palates.

Currently, the two brothers are working on reviewing different regions where they can expand their vision, including Napa, Argentina and Spain, where they believe that additional great wines can be produced.

“Every bottle we select and produce is chosen meticulously with the greatest attention to details... When you drink a bottle of wine produced by Daou Vineyards, you can be sure that no corners were cut to produce and select simply the best for you and your family” — Daniel and Georges Daou