Frank Family Vineyards
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 121
Vintage: 2023
Frank Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- This wine was born from a single block on our Rutherford estate that rises 500 feet above Napa Valley
- Rocky and volcanic soils give this 100% varietal wine natural concentration, structure and texture
- Extensive hand labor lessened yields to produce a rich and concentrated wine of beautiful balance
- Aging in new French oak for nearly 48 months to achieve deeper complexity and enduring elegance
Description
Our Winston Hill Heart Block is the best expression of our land and Winston Hill Vineyard is symbolic of what the Rutherford nested appellation has to offer. Frank Family’s founder, Rich Frank, acquired what would become our estate vineyard in 1990, falling in love with a great old house that came with an original 10 acres of vines planted among the 107-acre lot. Southwest-facing and known to be one of the iconic vineyards in Rutherford, Rich soon learned what he had, and what he could do with it. More than three decades later, the unique terroir of our site has been captured time and time again, especially in the remarkable 2023 vintage.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
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.
Classic Wine
2915 Riverglen Drive
Fort Worth TX 76109
214-455-6922
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Classic Wine:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 Vintners | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Ecotone Vineyard Block 6 | 29 (2025) |
| Almacerro | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 29 (2025) | |
| Crocker & Starr Wines | 2023 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | The Goddess | 29 (2025) |
| Dakota Shy | 2023 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Oakville Ranch Vineyard CF Selection | 29 (2025) |
| Darioush | 2023 | Cabernet Franc | Mount Veeder | Sage Vineyard | 29 (2025) |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block | 29 (2025) |
| Gamble Estates | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Family Home Vineyard Northwest Block | 29 (2025) |
| HALL | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sacrashe | 29 (2025) |
| La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 29 (2025) | |
| Round Pond Estate | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | SVS | 29 (2025) |
| Tamber Bey | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 29 (2025) | |
| Ashes & Diamonds | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 28 (2024) | |
| Fisher Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Lamb Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Gemstone | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | A Rare and Remarkable Gem | 28 (2024) |
| La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 28 (2024) | |
| Palmaz Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tortuga | 28 (2024) |
| Sequoia Grove Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 (2024) | |
| Tamber Bey | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 28 (2024) | |
| TEXTBOOK | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Oakville 5ive | 28 (2024) |
| ELLMAN | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | ELLMAN |Back to School Proprietary Red Blend | 27 (2023) |
| Mayacamas Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Mount Veeder | Estate | 27 (2023) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2021 | Red Wine | Oakville | 5ive Proprietary Red Blend | 27 (2023) |
| Trois Noix | 2021 | Chardonnay | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Muir Hanna Old Vine Selection | 26 (2022) |
| Merus | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 25 (2021) |
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.)