Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
Auction 20 | Lot No. 85
Vintage: 2014
Frank Family Vineyards
Winston Hill
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From the Heart Block (the best) on Rich Frank’s hillside estate in Rutherford
- Rising 500 feet above the valley floor, the soil is made up 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
This rare expression of Napa Valley winemaking is one of only 60 bottles that will ever be made. Think of it as a bit of Napa Valley history in your cellar and celebrated in a glass with friends and family. Your Premiere Napa Valley wine is from the Heart Block, the best block on Frank Family’s hillside estate in Rutherford. Rising 500 feet above the valley floor, the soil is made up 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 the crown jewel of the Frank Family estate, receiving some of the longest hours of sunshine in the valley and producing the most delicious fruit, year after year.
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 “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.
Southern Napa Fine Wine House
2304 Main Street
Daphne AL 36526
251-375-2800
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 24 | |
| Davies Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | J. Davies Estate Rock Garden | 24 |
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| Somerston Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Everest | 24 |
| TEXTBOOK | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sticks & Stones | 24 |
| Burgess Cellars Napa Green Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Brush Breaker | 23 |
| Selah Wines | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Selah | 23 |
| Vine Cliff Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Spirit | 23 |
| Anthem Winery And Vineyards, Llc | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 22 | |
| Jean Edwards Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Trois II | 22 |
| Monticello Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Block 2 | 22 |
| Taplin Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Ethel Lewelling Taplin | 22 |
| Anthem Winery and Vineyards, LLC | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 21 | |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 21 | |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Barrel 15047 | 21 |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1996 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | J. Schram Late Disgorged | 21 |
| Beran | 2014 | Zinfandel | Napa Valley | 20 | |
| Darioush | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | 20 | ||
| Frank Family Vineyards Napa Green Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill | 20 |
| Miner Family Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 19 | |
| Davies Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Jamie's Select | 18 |
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