Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block)
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
Auction 15 | Lot No. 68
Vintage: 2008
Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Description
Winston Hill Vineyard is located on the east side of Napa Valley along the Vaca Mountain range in Rutherford. This 25-acre hand-terraced parcel is on Rich Frank’s estate, and was last replanted in 1991 to Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. Rising nearly 500 feet above the valley floor, the soil consists of well-drained, volcanic deposits and sandstone. Due to its southwest exposure, Winston Hill has a high radiant value. Warm summer days give way to cool nights with soft mountain breezes. Extensive hand labor balances the vine canopy and maintains yields to produce rich and concentrated wines. Each year for Premiere Napa Valley, winemaker Todd Graff makes a special one-of-a-kind barrel from his favorite Cabernet vines in the Heart Block, which results in a rich wine with beautifully integrated flavors of blueberries and chocolate.
Aging Process
24 months in 75% new French Oak barrels and 25% once filled French Oak barrels
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
Tasting Chart
| bone dry | very sweet | |
| light body | very full bodied | |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins | heavy tannins | |
 |
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 “Winery of the Year” by the Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine in both 2012 and 2017. 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 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:
"Napa Winemaker of the Year," North Bay Business Journal
"Best Napa Winemaker," Napa Valley Life Magazine Reader's Choice Awards
Winemaking Philosophy:
Make balanced wines that best express our vineyard sites.
Q&A With the Winemaker
Q: Any quote, poem, lyric you feel represents this wine?
A: Never be in a hurry to end a day, there are too few in a lifetime.
Foggy's bar and no grill
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602-680-8416
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 15 |
| Sabina Vineyards | 2009 | Red Wine | St. Helena | 15 | |
| Spelletich Family Wine Company | 2009 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Premiere Pinot | 14 |
| Elkhorn Peak Cellars | 2008 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | 13 | |
| Broman Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 | |
| Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 12 | |
| O'Brien Estate | 2005 | Red Wine | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Hard to Get | 11 |
| Rutherford Grove Winery and Vineyards | 2005 | 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Petite Sirah | Napa Valley | 10 | |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 | |
| Howell Mountain Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 9 | |
| Richard L. Graeser Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 9 |
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