Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Our Winston Hill Heart Block is the best expression of our land and Winston Hill Vineyard, and 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 great vineyards in Rutherford, Rich soon learned what he had, and what he could do with it. Three decades later, the unique terroir of our site has been captured time and time again, especially in the remarkable 2021 vintage.
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.
6600 Rockledge Drive
Suite 150
Bethesda MD 20817
301-547-0757
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amici Cellars Napa Green Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Fire & Ice | 28 |
Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Stags Leap Unleashed | 28 |
Beaulieu Vineyard | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Maître Cuveé | 28 |
Bella Union | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 | |
Belle Glos | 2022 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 28 |
Bougetz Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 28 | |
Burgess Cellars, Heitz Cellar, Stony Hill Vineyard | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Founder's Cuvée | 28 |
Cakebread Cellars Napa Green Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Suscol Ranches | 28 |
Chimney Rock Winery Napa Green Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Swan Song | 28 |
Davies, Diamond Creek, Diamond Mountain, Dyer, The Vineyardist, Wallis | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Diamond Mountain Six | 28 |
Duckhorn Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard Bordeaux Blend | 28 |
Far Niente | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 28 | |
Faust | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | THE PACT | 28 |
Foley Johnson, PEJU Napa Green Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Heart of the Valley | 28 |
Freemark Abbey | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 | |
Ghost Block Estate Wines | 2022 | Red Table Wine | Yountville | Maratona | 28 |
Monticello Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Yewell Vineyard | 28 |
Nickel & Nickel | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 28 |
Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Trailblazer | 28 |
Red Thread Wines, Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 28 | |
Robert Mondavi Winery | 2022 | Red Table Wine | Oakville | To Kalon Red Blend | 28 |
Rombauer Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Stice Lane | 28 |
Saintsbury | 2023 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lee Vineyard | 28 |
Shafer Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 28 |
Silver Oak | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Echoes of Exceptionality | 28 |
Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Vista 42 | 28 |
TATE | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Jack Orleans-Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder Blend | 28 |
Women Winemakers | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Women Winemakers | 28 |
Acumen | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5.71 Carats | 27 |
Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2021 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Assemblage V | 27 |
Beau Vigne | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Titania | 27 |
Belle Glos | 2021 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 27 |
Cain Vineyard & Winery Napa Green Winery | 2021 | Red Table Wine | Spring Mountain District | The Phoenix Rises | 27 |
Davies Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | J. Davies Tres Bloques | 27 |
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Green Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block | 27 |
Ghost Block Estate Wines | 2021 | Red Wine | Yountville | Maratona | 27 |
Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 27 |
La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 27 | |
Miner Family Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bonny’s Vineyard | 27 |
Monticello Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Tietjen Vineyard | 27 |
Quilt | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 27 | |
Quintessa | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Mt. Calisse | 27 |
Robert Mondavi Winery | 2021 | Red Wine | Oakville | To Kalon Vineyard | 27 |
Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Abela Vineyard Charlie's Reserve | 27 |
Silver Oak | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Heritage Homecoming | 27 |
TATE | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tetz Vineyard | 27 |
The Vice | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | The Cowboy of Wall Street | 27 |
William Cole Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Smoking Gun | 27 |
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