Frank Family Vineyards
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block)"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 17 | Lot No. 106
Vintage: 2011
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Description
Winston Hill Vineyard is on the east side of Rutherford along the Vaca mountains. This 25-acre hand-terraced parcel was last replanted in 1991 to Cabernet Sauvignon, plus small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. Rising 500 feet above the valley floor, its soil consists of well-drained, volcanic deposits and sandstone, and its southwest exposure offers a high radiant value. Warm days give way to cool nights with soft breezes. Meticulous canopy management maintains yields to produce rich, concentrated wines.
Each year for Premiere Napa Valley, winemaker Todd Graff crafts a barrel from his favorite Cabernet vines in the Heart Block, for a rich wine with beautifully integrated flavors of blueberries and chocolate.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
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.
San Francisco 49ers / Levy
4949 Marie P. DeBartolo Way
Santa Clara CA 95054-1229
408-562-4925
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from San Francisco 49ers / Levy:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10th Anniversary Bottling | 27 (2023) |
| Chaix Wines | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 27 (2023) | |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 25 (2021) | |
| Angwin Estate Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 24 (2020) | |
| Hesperian Wines | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Kitoko Vineyard | 24 (2020) |
| High Dive Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | La Quebrada | 23 (2019) |
| Ideology Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Cento | 22 (2018) |
| JAX Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 (2018) | |
| Switchback Ridge | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Anniversary Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Hertelendy Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Leaf And Vine | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 21 (2017) | |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 21 (2017) |
| Vineyard {511} | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 21 (2017) | |
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 20 (2016) | |
| Taplin Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Ethel Lewelling Taplin | 20 (2016) |
| Ancien Wines | 2013 | Pinot Noir | Coombsville | Haynes Old Block | 19 (2015) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Boulders, Barrels and Bruises | 19 (2015) |
| Mi Sueño Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Seleccion Herrera | 18 (2014) |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Grigsby Vineyard Row 57 Old Vines | 18 (2014) |
| Croze | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 (2013) | |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 17 (2013) |
| Bennett Lane | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 16 (2012) | |
| Howell at the Moon | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Knoll Vineyard | 16 (2012) |
| Kitchak Cellars | 2010 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Silverado Bench Symphony | 16 (2012) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | First Born | 15 (2011) |
| Boeschen Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 15 (2011) | |
| Davies Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Jack's Block, 96 Vines | 14 (2010) |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Napa Valley Cuvee | 14 (2010) |
| Frazier Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Ahnfeldt Wines | 2005 | Proprietary Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo | 11 (2007) |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Proprietary Blend | 11 (2007) |
| Benessere | 2004 | Aglianico | St. Helena | 10 (2006) | |
| Bourassa Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Rockledge Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 9 (2005) | |
| Bennett Lane | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon Blend | Napa Valley | 8 (2004) | |
| Vinoce | 2003 | Merlot | Mt. Veeder | Block 6 | 8 (2004) |
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.)