Paso Robles luxury wine brand DAOU Vineyards has signed a UK distribution deal with Bibendum, marking a major step in its ambition to grow its presence across independents, luxury retail and the on-trade.

The agreement brings the Californian producer (which is owned by Treasury Wine Estates) into the Bibendum portfolio, which forms part of C&C Group alongside Walker & Wodehouse.

The partnership will centre on DAOU’s core range, including its Reserve collection and flagship wine Soul of a Lion – a Cabernet Sauvignon that forms the core of the brand’s drive to elevate Paso Robles in to the strata of the world’s top fine-wine regions.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with Bibendum, a team renowned for their strategic acumen, versatility and deep-rooted expertise in the UK wine trade,” Sijie Leaw, international sales director at DAOU, said.

“Their strong network and proven track record make them an ideal partner as we expand our presence in this market.

The deal marks a significant milestone in the winery’s global expansion strategy. With Bibendum’s support, the producer will activate specialised teams which “allow us to craft precise, channel-specific strategies that elevate the DAOU brand”, Leaw continued.

Richard Masterson, wine buyer at C&C Group, built on Leaw’s comments, adding that “DAOU has become a global success story in less than two decades. With world-class Cabernets to rival the best of Napa Valley and Bordeaux, they have taken the relatively unknown region of Paso Robles and firmly put it on the fine-wine map.”

Founded in 2007 by brothers Daniel and Georges Daou, the estate occupies a 212-acre mountaintop in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. Its calcareous clay soils and 2,200ft elevation, 14 miles from the Pacific, create conditions that have proved a winning combination for Cabernet Sauvignon.

In particular, Soul of a Lion, released in 2010, has helped to challenge Napa Valley’s dominance on the global wine stage. The wine will form a key focus for Bibendum’s rollout in the coming months.

Neb Lukic, president of luxury sales and marketing at Treasury, which acquired DAOU Vineyards in December 2023, called Soul of a Lion “our crown jewel. It played a pivotal role in putting Paso Robles on the global wine map.”