Jaime Araujo’s Wines are Something Special
Jaime Araujo’s friends tease that her current wine venture should be entitled, ‘Jaime’s home for wayward grapes and wines.’ Named more elegantly ‘Trois Noix,’ Araujo concedes that her pals have a point. “My goal at Trois Noix is to find grapes or wine that someone else doesn’t want,” she said. “I take those undervalued, hidden jewels that don’t receive as much attention, and I turn them into something special.”
As much sleuth as she is vintner, Araujo seeks out wineries and winemakers who, for whatever reason, cannot utilize all of their grapes. “Perhaps a contract has been canceled, or a winemaker swears by an amazing batch that for some reason no one wants,” said Araujo. There are lots of fabulous lots out there that don’t fit into other programs; that’s where I come in.”
Originally the brainchild of Araujo and her brother Greg, and named in honor of their combined three children (their ‘three peanuts’), Trois Noix is now wholly her label. Three varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon,
Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay – are made at Wheeler Farms, her family’s custom crush facility where she is also a partner with her parents, Daphne and Bart Araujo and brother Greg Araujo in Accendo Cellars. Winemaker Meghan Zobeck, previously of Atelier Melka, will soon takeover Trois Noix’s winemaking duties. “She’s a rock star,” said Araujo.
After having lived and worked in England and France for 24 years, much of that time running her own marketing and strategy consultancy for the wine industry, Araujo felt the pull of her native Napa and moved back in 2016. Though thrilled to be part of her family’s business, she also felt the need to create something of her own – a project that reflected her vibrant and sociable personality and what she loves most about wine: people and community.
“Trois Noix was originally born out of a lifelong love of wine, and as a way to utilize awesome leftover juice,” said Araujo.
“Along the way, through collaboration with amazingly talented friends who also happen to be fabulous winemakers and grape growers, we’ve pushed the boundaries of convention,” said Araujo. “Our mantra is serious wines that are enjoyable and pleasurable right now: elegant, polished, and approachable but with the structure to last.
“I couldn’t do any of this without the incredible people in this valley who have my back. It’s always exciting for me to make that ‘great find’ and to meet all the amazing people who are the backbone of this wine business.”
“It’s a small community and a fun way to get to know people. I love what I do.”
TROIS NOIX
www.troisnoixwine.com
Article By: Fran Miller
