Frank Family Vineyards

Winston Hill Block 5 -Heart block
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford

2020 Offering
Premiere Napa Valley
Auction 24 | Lot No. 22
Vintage: 2018

Frank Family Vineyards

Winston Hill Block 5 -Heart block

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, Todd Graff

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.

Republic National Distributing Co.

6511 Tri County Parkway
Schertz  TX  78154-3219
210-230-7256

website


Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection

Winery Vintage Variety Appellation Fanciful Auction
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Green Winery 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Winston Hill Block 5 -Heart block 24
Starmont Winery & Vineyards Napa Green Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Los Carneros Stanly Ranch Estate 24
Whitehall Lane Napa Green Winery 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 24
Quilt Wines 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 23
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Napa Green Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford - Estate Grown Louis XIV 23
CADE Estate Winery Napa Green Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 20
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District FAY Edge 20
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Napa Green Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 19
Pine Ridge Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 5x5 17
Twomey Cellars 2011 Merlot Napa Valley One 17
Hess Collection Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 15
HALL 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Sacrashe Vineyard - Block 2 14
Atalon Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Peers 13
Darioush 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate 13
Freemark Abbey 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Seven 12
HALL 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Exzellenz - Sacrashe Vineyard 12
Cuvaison Estate Wines 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 5
Franciscan Oakville Estate 2000 Cabernet/Merlot Blend Oakville Millennium Meritage 5
Cardinale 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1
This website uses cookies.
Learn more about our privacy policy.
Dismiss this notice