Frank Family Vineyards
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 Heart Block"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 23 | Lot No. 69
Vintage: 2017
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From the Heart Block on Rich Frank’s hillside estate in Rutherford
- 500 feet above the valley floor, the soil is composed of well-drained volcanic deposits and sandstone
- Extensive hand labor lessens yields to produce a rich and concentrated wine of beautiful balance
- This vineyard is our crown jewel, consistently producing the most delicious fruit we’ve tasted
Description
Rising 500 feet above the valley floor in the Rutherford nested appellation, "Winston Hill" is Rich Frank’s original estate vineyard, named for his beloved English Springer Spaniel, Winston. This prized vineyard is located on Rich and Leslie Frank’s 107-acre estate, on the east side of the Napa Valley along the Vaca Mountains. The hand-terraced vine rows have southwestern exposure providing extended hours of sunshine in the valley. The combination of prolonged sun exposure with well-drained, volcanic soil, leads to grapes of extraordinary concentration. This 100 percent variety and vineyard-designate wine hails from the Heart Block of Winston Hill, the best of our best. This unique wine has been aged in 75 percent new French oak for nearly 48 months.
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 “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.
Petroleum Club
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Oklahoma City OK 73102
405-232-1184
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Petroleum Club:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tribute | 25 (2021) |
| Darioush | 2019 | Red Wine | Mount Veeder | 25 (2021) | |
| Eleven Eleven | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Reserve | 25 (2021) |
| Grace Family Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Grace Family Blend | 25 (2021) |
| Newton Vineyard | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 25 (2021) | |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Five Generations | 25 (2021) |
| ZD Wines | Non-vintage | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Petit Abacus | 25 (2021) |
| AXR Napa Valley | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sleeping Denali | 24 (2020) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | California Thrill | 24 (2020) |
| Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine | 2018 | Sparkling Wine | Los Carneros | Something Old, Something New | 24 (2020) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stice Lane | 24 (2020) |
| Vineyard 29 | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | CEANDA ESTATE | 24 (2020) |
| Alpha Omega | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Dr. To Kalon | 23 (2019) |
| Darioush | 2017 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Estate Blend | 23 (2019) |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 Heart Block | 23 (2019) |
| The Debate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Elevate The Debate | 23 (2019) |
| Buena Vista Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 22 (2018) | |
| Courtesan | Non-Vintage | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Veronica | 22 (2018) |
| Emerson Brown | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 22 (2018) | |
| Darioush | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Estate Blend | 21 (2017) |
| Davis Estates | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Behind the Red Velvet Ropes | 21 (2017) |
| Palmaz Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Super Argentine | 21 (2017) |
| Summers Estate Wines | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 21 (2017) | |
| Blackbird Vineyards | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Chappellet Vineyard | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| The Debate | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Hewitt Vineyard & Provenance Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Hudson Vineyards | 2013 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Alexander’s Field | 19 (2015) |
| Appellations | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Brix and Mortar | 18 (2014) |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 18 (2014) | |
| Alpha Omega | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Beckstoffer Blend | 17 (2013) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Ganymede Vineyard Unfiltered | 17 (2013) |
| Hourglass | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20/20 | 17 (2013) |
| Renteria Wines | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | River Block Reserve | 17 (2013) |
| Schrader Cellars, LLC | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Double Diamond TFA Cuvée | 17 (2013) |
| Alpha Omega | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Proprietary | 16 (2012) |
| Blackbird Vineyards | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Proprietary | 16 (2012) |
| Levy and McClellan | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 16 (2012) |
| Thirteen Appellations | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Elyse Winery | 2009 | Grenache | Los Carneros | 15 (2011) | |
| Lail Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Henry II | 15 (2011) |
| Martin Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 15 (2011) | |
| Paraduxx | 2008 | Red Wine | Howell Mountain | 14 (2010) | |
| Renteria Wines | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Vintner’s Cuvée | 14 (2010) |
| Revana Family Vineyard | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Premiere Cuvee | 14 (2010) |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A Tale of Two Ranches | 14 (2010) |
| Twomey Cellars | 2008 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | SCR | 14 (2010) |
| Anomaly Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Randy's Reserve | 13 (2009) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Wild Roxanne | 13 (2009) |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Martin Estate | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Puerta Dorada Vineyard | 13 (2009) |
| Miner Family Winery | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Paraduxx | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Monitor Ledge Vineyard | 13 (2009) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 13 (2009) | |
| Darioush | 2006 | 85% Cabernet Sauvginon, 15% Malbec | Napa Valley | Apadana Block-Estate | 11 (2007) |
| J. Davies Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Jack's Block | 11 (2007) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stice Lane Block D Barrel Ferment Puncheon | 11 (2007) |
| Thirteen Appellations | 2005 | Napa Valley Red Wine | Napa Valley | Fourteen | 11 (2007) |
| Clark-Claudon Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Blend | 10 (2006) |
| Summers Estate Wines | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Merlot 10% | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Paraduxx | 2003 | Zinfandel (65%) Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 9 (2005) | |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 9 (2005) | |
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards | 2002 | Merlot (60%)/Cabernet Franc (40%) | Napa Valley | 8 (2004) | |
| CONSTANT | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Liquid Fantasy No. 2121 | 8 (2004) |
| Darioush | 2002 | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Darius | 8 (2004) |
| Luna Vineyards | 2002 | 45% Sangiovese, 42% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Canto | 8 (2004) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill | 6 (2002) |
| Clos Pegase | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Los Carneros | Graveyard Hill, Backside | 6 (2002) |
| Luna Vineyards | 2000 | Sangiovese | Napa Valley | Riserva - Barrel Select | 6 (2002) |
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.)