El Dorado County · California

El Dorado's
Hidden Gem.

Est. 2004 Pilot Hill, CA 1,400 ft Elevation

Wine born from a landscape carved for thousands of years.

A 98-acre estate at 1,400 feet in El Dorado County. Mature vines, thoughtful spacing, and careful water stewardship yield concentrated, balanced fruit. With naturally modest yields of 3–4 tons per acre, we favor purity over volume.

Rocky silt soils that shape concentration, balance, and place.

Auburn and Sobrante series rocky silt soils moderate vine vigor and produce small, concentrated berries. Rolling hillside slopes ensure natural drainage, while cool evening breezes preserve natural acidity and aromatic complexity.

Thoughtful farming, guided by the vines, season by season.

We work block by block, guided by soil probes and pre-harvest phenolic analysis. Cover crops, minimal inputs, and regenerative practices build the long-term health of the land — because the best wines begin in healthy soils.

Golden hour at the estate vineyard
Our Story

Rooted in heritage,
guided by the land.

Safari Wineries began with friends who share a love of wine and a builder's mindset. As neighbors in the Sierra Foothills, we saw the promise of Pilot Hill — elevation, rocky soils, and evening breezes — to grow fruit that reflects this place.

Our founders' roots reach back to India's Deccan Plateau, where agriculture is a constant. Trained as engineers, they moved to California and eventually made their home in the foothills. That mix of farming heritage and problem solving shapes how we work.

In practice, we work block by block and let each season guide our decisions. The aim is simple: honor the foothills' past while embracing thoughtful innovation.

Vineyard Details

A diverse palette
of varieties.

Multiple rootstocks and clones — 420A, 1103P, 101-14, 3309 — contribute nuance, texture, and age‑worthy structure across the estate.

8
Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris.

26
Avg. Vine Age (years)

Mature vines yielding complex, balanced fruit with natural concentration and age-worthy structure.

98
Acres

Estate vineyard on rolling hillside slopes with natural drainage and cooling evening breezes.

1,400
Feet Elevation

High-altitude growing conditions preserving natural acidity and flavor concentration.

Heritage
"Planted on rich volcanic soils in a pristine location high up in the El Dorado Hills, the diversity of blocks and clones combined with a high-end viticulture approach ensures I'm consistently producing high-quality wines that are generous and of great appeal."
Matt Parish, Winemaker
"El Dorado reminds me of Washington's Yakima Valley — its reputation is held back not by grape quality, but by the absence of tourism."
Justin Boeger, via Palate Press

For 20+ years, Safari Vineyard has supplied fruit to leading California wineries, including Duckhorn, Delicato, and Francis Ford Coppola.

Our People

The hands behind
the harvest.

Juan Buskada, caretaker

Juan Buskada — Caretaker

Juan has been on the Pilot Hill slopes since the first shovel broke ground, working sunrise to dusk. His focus is practical viticulture: pruning, trellising, canopy management, and irrigation scheduling. Decades on site mean he knows each block and guides it to deliver balanced fruit, season after season.

Growers

Led by Sateesh Arjula, the team manages the estate day to day — planning canopy work, irrigation, and harvest timing with an engineer's precision.

Advisors

Mauricio Soto (Napa Valley) brings generations of vineyard management knowledge. Matt Parish, formerly Chief Winemaker for Constellation Brands and Treasury Wine Estates, produces Reserve wines exclusively from this vineyard.

Community

Neighbors from Pilot Hill contribute hands and knowledge during harvest. Their understanding of mountain weather and local terrain enriches the vineyard's approach.

Our Wines

Estate‑grown.
Classically styled.

01

2024 Estate Red Blend

2,000 cases

Crafted in a classic Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and matured with premium French oak. Vibrant red and black berry fruit, fine tannins, and a smooth finish.

02

2024 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

1,000 cases

Deep and structured, lifted by a touch of Cabernet Franc. Dark fruit, mocha, and spice — complemented by silky tannins and good length. A wine of the mountain.

Contact

Let's talk
about wine.

Email safariwineries@gmail.com
Sateesh Arjula +1 (734) 709‑8464
Srinivas Kovi +1 (510) 203‑6701
Location Pilot Hill, El Dorado County, California