Frank Family Vineyards
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block)"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 15 | Lot No. 68
Vintage: 2008
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Description
Winston Hill Vineyard is located on the east
side of Napa Valley along the Vaca Mountain
range in Rutherford. This 25-acre hand-terraced
parcel is on Rich Frank’s estate, and was
last replanted in 1991 to Cabernet Sauvignon,
along with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet
Franc and Sangiovese. Rising nearly 500 feet
above the valley floor, the soil consists of
well-drained, volcanic deposits and sandstone.
Due to its southwest exposure, Winston
Hill has a high radiant value. Warm summer
days give way to cool nights with soft mountain
breezes. Extensive hand labor balances the
vine canopy and maintains yields to produce
rich and concentrated wines. Each year for
Premiere Napa Valley, winemaker Todd Graff
makes a special one-of-a-kind barrel from his
favorite Cabernet vines in the Heart Block,
which results in a rich wine with beautifully
integrated flavors of blueberries and chocolate.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
Tasting Chart
| bone dry | very sweet | |
| light body | very full bodied | |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins | heavy tannins | |
 |
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 “Best Napa Winery" by the Best of Napa County Awards in 2023 and again in 2024. 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 in 2021 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:
"Best Winemaker," Best of Napa County Awards, 2023
"Best Napa Winemaker," Napa Valley Life Magazine Reader's Choice Awards, 2021
"Napa Winemaker of the Year," North Bay Business Journal, 2020
Winemaking Philosophy:
Make balanced wines that best express our vineyard sites.
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295 Seven Farms Drive
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602-680-8416
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Foggy's bar and no grill:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 15 (2011) |
| Sabina Vineyards | 2009 | Red Wine | St. Helena | 15 (2011) | |
| Spelletich Family Wine Company | 2009 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Premiere Pinot | 14 (2010) |
| Elkhorn Peak Cellars | 2008 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Broman Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 12 (2008) | |
| O'Brien Estate | 2005 | Red Wine | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Hard to Get | 11 (2007) |
| Rutherford Grove Winery and Vineyards | 2005 | 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Petite Sirah | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 (2005) | |
| Howell Mountain Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 9 (2005) | |
| Richard L. Graeser Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 9 (2005) |
Winery Distribution
Frank Family Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alabama (United-Johnson Brothers)
- Alaska (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Arizona (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Arkansas (Central Distributors)
- California (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Colorado (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Connecticut (Allan S Goodman)
- Delaware (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Florida (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Georgia (Winebow)
- Hawaii (Johnson Brothers)
- Idaho (Hayden Beverage Company)
- Illinois (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Indiana (Johnson Brothers)
- Iowa (Johnson Brothers)
- Kansas (Handcrafted Wine & Spirits)
- Kentucky (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Louisiana (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Maine (Nappi Distributors)
- Maryland (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Massachusetts (M.S. Walker)
- Michigan (Veritas Distributors, Inc.)
- Minnesota (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Mississippi (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Missouri (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Montana (Intermountain Distributing Co.)
- Nebraska (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Nevada (Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits)
- New Hampshire (Martignetti)
- New Jersey (Vintage Imports, Inc.)
- New Mexico (Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits)
- New York (Empire Merchants)
- North Carolina (Winebow)
- North Dakota (Johnson Brothers)
- Ohio (Heidelberg)
- Oklahoma (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Oregon (Columbia)
- Pennsylvania (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Rhode Island (Martignetti)
- South Carolina (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- South Dakota (Johnson Brothers)
- Tennessee (Knoxville Beverage Co.)
- Tennessee (Star Distributors)
- Tennessee (Empire Distributors)
- Texas (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Utah (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Virginia (Winebow)
- Washington (Columbia)
- West Virginia (Johnson Brothers)
- Wisconsin (Breakthru Beverage Group)
- Wyoming (Republic National Distributing Company)
International:
- China (EVO)
- Hong Kong (Water & Wine Ltd.)
- Singapore (Water & Wine Ltd.)
- South Korea (Wine2UKorea)
- Thailand (Water & Wine Ltd.)