Julien Fayard
Winemaker · Purlieu · Covert Estate · Coombsville
French-born Julien Fayard worked at Château Lafite Rothschild and with Philippe Melka before building his own winemaking practice in south Napa. He makes Purlieu, Somnium and a long list of client wines, and co-founded Covert Estate in Coombsville.
About Julien Fayard
- Raised on the French Riviera; spent his youth at Chateau Sainte Marguerite, the Provence estate his uncle bought in the 1970s, and worked there for a few years.
- Holds a master's degree in enology; worked at Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux.
- Moved to Napa Valley in 2006 with his wife Elan and worked at Quintessa before joining Philippe Melka.
- Spent seven to eight years at Atelier Melka, working on Dalla Valle, Lail, Gemstone and Melka's Metisse.
- Launched his rosé label Azur in 2009.
- Moved all client winemaking into his own Fayard Winemaking facility in south Napa just before the 2018 harvest.
- Co-founded Covert Estate in Coombsville with the Nicholson and Nestor families; the estate houses Azur, Covert, Nicholson Jones and Empreinte.
- Named head winemaker at racing driver Danica Patrick's Somnium in 2020.
- Runs Maison Fayard, a retail shop and tasting room in downtown Napa.
Julien's own wines
- Covert Estate
- Azur Wines · since 2009
- Fayard Wines / Les Vins Julien / Belharra
Where Julien makes wine today
- Purlieu Wines · winemaker
- Le Pich · winemaker
- Somnium · winemaker
- Taplin Cellars · consulting winemaker
- Caspar Estate · consulting winemaker
- Gemstone Vineyard · consulting winemaker
- Patel Winery · consulting winemaker
- Sire Estate Wines · consulting winemaker
- Afterwords Wines · consulting winemaker
- Brandon Gregory Estate · consulting winemaker
- Beau Vigne · winemaker
- Other producers made at Fayard Winemaking, including Chateau Napa, Firetree Estate, Brion Estates, Facets, Rebrook Cellars, Cultivar, Lone Eagle and Mithra
Wineries Julien has made wine for
Consulting relationships change often; these are clients past and recent as reported over the years.
- Krupp Brothers
- Atelier Melka
- Quintessa
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild / Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Notable wines and scores
- 2018 Purlieu Beckstoffer Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon: 98 pts, Jeb Dunnuck (97+ Wine Advocate)
- 2016 Purlieu Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample): 97–99 pts, Wine Advocate
- 2013 Purlieu Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: 96 pts, Wine Advocate
- 2022 Beau Vigne Collection Aura Cabernet Sauvignon: 95 pts, Decanter
- 2016 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon: 94 pts, Wine Advocate
Taste Julien's wines in wine country
Many of these wineries are by appointment only, and some sell only to their mailing lists. Tell us which wines you would like to taste and your chauffeur will book what is possible and build the day around it. See our Napa Valley wine tours and Sonoma County wine tours, or plan a private tour.
Sources
content.robertparker.com · guide.michelin.com · fayard.wine · napawineproject.com · barbizmag.com · winesandvines.com · beckstoffervineyards.com
Taste these wines with Bien
Many of these wineries are by appointment only. Tell us the wines you want to taste and your chauffeur books what is possible and builds the day around it.
Private six-hour tours with your own chauffeur and luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, from $600 plus gratuity. Bottled water and tasting appointments included.
Plan My Wine TourPrefer to talk? Call or text 833-915-2436.