Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Auction 27 | Lot No. 46
Vintage: 2021
Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- This 100% variety and vineyard-designate wine hails from the Heart Block of Winston Hill
- The hand-terraced vine rows have southwestern exposure, providing extended hours of sunshine
- Long sun exposure and well-drained, volcanic soil lead to grapes of extraordinary concentration
- Your unique wine has been aging in 75% new French oak for nearly 48 months
Description
Our Winston Hill Heart Block is the best expression of our land and Winston Hill Vineyard, and is symbolic of what the Rutherford nested appellation has to offer. Frank Family’s founder, Rich Frank, acquired what would become our estate vineyard in 1990, falling in love with a great old house that came with an original 10 acres of vines planted among the 107-acre lot. Southwest-facing and known to be one of the great vineyards in Rutherford, Rich soon learned what he had, and what he could do with it. Three decades later, the unique terroir of our site has been captured time and time again, especially in the remarkable 2021 vintage.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
- Wine is produced in a Napa Green winery
Todd Graff
Winemaker, Frank Family Vineyards
Winemaker and General Manager Todd Graff is behind Frank Family’s reputation as a world-class producer of Napa Valley Cabernet and Chardonnay and their Napa Green certifications for both land and winery since 2014. Prior to joining Frank Family Vineyards in 2003, Todd's career began across the globe, where he worked at the steep slate vineyards of Weingut Klaus Schweicher in Mosel, Germany, the sandy soils of Château Yon-Figeac in St.-Émilion, France, and the decomposed granite and sandstone loam soils of Arrowfield Estate in Australia’s Hunter Valley, among others.
He returned to the Napa Valley in 1987 to work as the Assistant Winemaker at Stags' Leap Winery, and from 1990-95 was the Assistant Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Schramsberg Vineyards, where he honed his craft in making sparkling wines according to the Methodé Champenoise. During his tenure at Schramsberg, he also served as Technical Director and Winemaker at Caves Transmontanas in Portugal, a Schramsberg joint venture.
In 1995, Graff joined Cordoniu in Napa (now Artesa) as Sparkling Winemaker, and in 2000, he joined Sonoma Creek Winery as Winemaker, where he cultivated strategic relationships with grape growers and was a key component of the winery's executive management team.
Todd has played an essential role in Frank Family’s steady growth over the past 20 vintages including their recognition as “Winery of the Year” by the Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine in both 2012 and 2017. Todd was named “Napa Winemaker of the Year” by the North Bay Business Journal in 2020 and "Best Napa Winemaker" by Napa Valley Life Magazine as a result of his positive contributions to the wine industry.
Country born: United States
Education: Graff was drawn to winemaking at a young age and signed up for an introductory wine course while attending Santa Rosa Junior College. He then graduated from UC Davis with a degree in plant science and viticulture in 1984.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Honors / Awards:
"Napa Winemaker of the Year," North Bay Business Journal
"Best Napa Winemaker," Napa Valley Life Magazine Reader's Choice Awards
Winemaking Philosophy:
Make balanced wines that best express our vineyard sites.
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