Frank Family Vineyards
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block)"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 21 | Lot No. 59
Vintage: 2015
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- This unique wine comes from the Heart Block of Rich and Leslie Frank's hillside estate in Rutherford
- Rising 500 feet above the valley floor, the soil is made of well-drained volcanic deposits and sandstone
- Extensive hand labor lessens the yields to produce a rich, concentrated wine of beautiful balance
- Characteristic blueberry and chocolate flavors integrate over 24 months in 75% new French oak
Description
This is our favorite block from one of the top hillside sites in Rutherford. The vines are now nearly 25 years old, and their grace is turning out wonderfully complex and rich fruit, consistent in its purity year in and year out.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- 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 “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.
WineBid
755 Skyway Court
Napa CA 94558
707-226-5893
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from WineBid:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corison Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Premiere Reserve | 22 (2018) |
| Stone The Crows | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Ehlers Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Block 4 | 21 (2017) |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 21 (2017) |
| von Strasser Winery | 2015 | Red Wine | Diamond Mountain District | Sori Bricco | 21 (2017) |
| Corison Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Reserve | 20 (2016) |
| LATERAL | 2014 | Cabernet Franc | Los Carneros | 20 (2016) | |
| Tierra Roja Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Katharine's Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Gallica | 2012 | Red Wine | Oakville | 18 (2014) | |
| Saintsbury | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Brown Ranch | 17 (2013) |
| Saintsbury | 2011 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Brown Ranch | 16 (2012) |
| Schrader Cellars, LLC | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Double Diamond Never Ever Cuvee | 16 (2012) |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Brother and Sister of (Volcanic) Rock | 15 (2011) |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 14 (2010) |
| Antica Napa Valley - Antinori Family Wine Estate | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Townsend Vineyard | 13 (2009) |
| Ceja Vineyards | 2006 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 12 (2008) | |
| J. Davies Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | McEachran Tierra Luna | 12 (2008) |
| Ceja Vineyards | 2005 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 11 (2007) | |
| Ladera Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 7 (2003) |
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.)