Frank Family Vineyards
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 -Heart block"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 22
Vintage: 2018
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From the Frank family’s original estate vineyard that rises 500 feet above the valley floor
- Rocky and volcanic soils give this Cabernet Sauvignon natural concentration, structure and texture
- Extensive hand labor lessens yields to produce a rich and concentrated wine of beautiful balance
- Aging in 75% new French oak for nearly 48 months
Description
Rising 500 feet above the valley floor in the Rutherford nested appellation, Winston Hill is Frank Family’s original estate vineyard, named for Rich Frank’s 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 Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the Heart Block on Winston Hill, the best of our best. This unique wine has been aging 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.
Republic National Distributing Co.
6511 Tri County Parkway
Schertz TX 78154-3219
210-230-7256
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Republic National Distributing Co.:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 -Heart block | 24 (2020) |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2018 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 24 (2020) |
| Whitehall Lane | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 24 (2020) | |
| Quilt Wines | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Louis XIV | 23 (2019) |
| CADE Estate Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 20 (2016) | |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | FAY Edge | 20 (2016) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 19 (2015) | |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5x5 | 17 (2013) |
| Twomey Cellars | 2011 | Merlot | Napa Valley | One | 17 (2013) |
| Hess Collection Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 15 (2011) | |
| HALL | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Sacrashe Vineyard - Block 2 | 14 (2010) |
| Atalon Winery | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Peers | 13 (2009) |
| Darioush | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate | 13 (2009) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Seven | 12 (2008) |
| HALL | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Exzellenz - Sacrashe Vineyard | 12 (2008) |
| Cuvaison Estate Wines | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5 (2001) | |
| Franciscan Oakville Estate | 2000 | Cabernet/Merlot Blend | Oakville | Millennium Meritage | 5 (2001) |
| Cardinale | 1995 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 1 (1997) |
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.)