Rich Frank, the engaging and humorous owner of Frank Family Vineyards, isn’t your typical vintner. With a remarkable background as former President of Disney Studios and President of Paramount Television Group, his transition to Napa Valley winemaker might seem unexpected. However, a conversation with Frank reveals a natural progression fueled by passion, a love for people, and an appreciation for crafting exceptional experiences, whether in Hollywood or wine country.
Before establishing Frank Family Vineyards, Frank’s career was nothing short of legendary. He spearheaded iconic television shows and films like Cheers, Golden Girls, Ellen, Dead Poet’s Society, Pretty Woman, Aladdin, and The Lion King, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His current role as Vice Chairman and Executive Board Member of the American Film Institute further cements his status as a leading figure. But the demanding nature of the entertainment world led him to seek respite in Napa Valley.
“Work was 24/7 at Disney,” Frank explained. “There was no break.” Napa Valley, discovered in the late 1980s, became his sanctuary. In 1990, he purchased a Tudor home in Rutherford, complete with a small vineyard and a fortuitous neighbor, Kerner Rombauer of Rombauer Vineyards. Rombauer’s initial, humorous advice – “Don’t quit your day job,” – hinted at the challenges of the wine business, but Frank was already captivated by the region and its people.
Rich Frank
The historic Larkmead Building – Photo Credit: www.tenzingws.com
By 1992, his passion led him to purchase the historic Larkmead Building, once home to Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars. This marked the true birth of Frank Family Vineyards. Working alongside Rombauer to transition the property, Frank officially opened Frank Family Vineyards on July 4, 1993. What began as an escape evolved into a thriving family venture. His wife, Leslie Frank, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, is integral to the winery’s success as co-proprietor, overseeing marketing, branding, and the winery’s engaging online presence. Her expertise has been particularly valuable in developing popular virtual tastings, extending the Frank Family Vineyards experience beyond Napa.
Rich Frank and Leslie Frank
Rich and Leslie Frank – Photo Credit: www.frankfamilyvineyards.com
The Art of Winemaking at Frank Family Vineyards: Crafting Wine Like Movies
Rich Frank draws a compelling parallel between filmmaking and winemaking: “There’s a giant similarity between making a movie and making wine. You need a great script to get a great movie; you need great grapes to get great wine. You need a director to cast the movie; you need a winemaker to cast the barrels.” Both are year-long endeavors demanding upfront investment and meticulous craftsmanship.
Guiding the winemaking process is Todd Graff, who joined Frank Family Vineyards 18 years ago and now serves as Winemaker and General Manager. Graff’s diverse experience, including sparkling wine production at Schramsberg and Cordoniu (now Artesa), has been instrumental in elevating Frank Family Vineyards‘ portfolio. Frank praises Graff as a “phenomenal winemaker,” a sentiment echoed in the winery’s impressive range of 22 wines across various price points. Graff’s winemaking philosophy centers on respecting the terroir: “I strive to respect the site and variety, then create wines with structure and balance.”
Frank Family Vineyards meticulously selects vineyard sites to match grape varietals to their ideal growing conditions. Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay hail from Carneros, a region known for its cool maritime climate perfectly suited for these grapes. For their renowned Cabernet Sauvignons, they turn to Rutherford, the “heart of Napa’s Cabernet land,” where the distinctive “Rutherford Dust” imparts unique character to the wines.
Vineyard Sites of Frank Family Vineyards:
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Winston Hill: Perched 500 feet above the valley floor in Rutherford, this vineyard features well-drained volcanic and sandstone soils. Its southwest exposure ensures long hours of sunshine, contributing to rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes.
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Benjamin Vineyard: Located in the heart of Rutherford, this valley floor vineyard boasts gravelly loam soil, a result of ancient sediment deposits from Conn Creek and the Napa River. Long sun-drenched days and cool nights allow for slow, even ripening, essential for developing complex Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Lewis Vineyard: Situated in the Napa/Carneros AVA, Lewis Vineyard experiences a strong maritime influence from the nearby San Pablo Bay. Cool temperatures, fog, and wind define this site, contributing to the elegant character of their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The shallow clay loam soils further enhance the quality of these varietals.
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S&J Vineyard: Nestled east of the Vaca Mountain Range in Capell Valley, S&J Vineyard sits at 700 feet elevation. Its well-drained clay loam soils, reminiscent of Rutherford Bench, combined with warm days and cool nights, provide a long, balanced ripening season, ideal for producing richly flavored grapes.
Todd Graff, Rich Frank
Todd Graff, Winemaker – Photo Credit: www.frankfamilyvineyards.com
Commitment to Sustainability:
Frank Family Vineyards demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. As one of the first Napa wineries Napa Green certified since 2015, sustainability is deeply ingrained in their practices. In the winery, they diligently recycle grape must, corks, packaging, capsules, and office supplies. They are continuously exploring energy-saving techniques, including cold stabilization methods and investing in natural light and insulation to minimize energy consumption. Water conservation is also a priority, with flow meters, steam-based cleaning, greywater recycling for landscaping, and chemical reuse strategies implemented throughout the winery.
Tasting the Terroir: Exploring Frank Family Vineyards Wines
Rich Frank’s philosophy is simple: “I’ll only produce wines that I like drinking.” This personal touch is evident in the quality and character of Frank Family Vineyards‘ wines. While he playfully admits to avoiding Sauvignon Blanc due to personal preference, he embraces sparkling wine, honoring the Larkmead Building’s history as Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars. Todd Graff’s sparkling wine expertise has elevated this program, producing limited-edition méthode traditionelle sparkling wines, including the acclaimed Lady Edythe, exclusively for wine club members and winery visitors.
However, the heart of Frank Family Vineyards lies in their still wines. Tasting notes reveal the elegance and finesse that define their portfolio:
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Frank Family 2018 Carneros Chardonnay: This Chardonnay ($38) is a delightful expression of Carneros terroir, featuring notes of toasted brioche, lemon, lime, herbs, and a hint of pepper, culminating in a creamy, round finish. It pairs beautifully with seafood dishes like seared scallops and caponata.
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Frank Family 2018 Carneros Pinot Noir: The Pinot Noir ($38) showcases classic Carneros character with aromas of raspberries, cherries, cola, vanilla, and a touch of milk chocolate. Balanced acidity and tannins frame lush red berry and fruit flavors.
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Frank Family 2017 Napa Valley Zinfandel: A Zinfandel lover’s delight ($38), this wine offers generous aromas of red berries, oregano, toast, and a hint of smoke. The palate is rich with pomegranate, juicy berries, and spice, supported by medium acidity and integrated tannins.
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Frank Family 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: This Cabernet Sauvignon ($58) is a Napa Valley classic, bursting with aromas of black cherries, vanilla, cola, chocolate, and baking spices. The complex palate reveals rustic notes of blueberries, earth, chocolate, and dark fruit, underpinned by vibrant acidity and firm tannins.
Rich Frank
Rich Frank
Rich Frank
Rich Frank’s personal wine preferences reflect his appreciation for quality and versatility. He enjoys “big wines” like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Zinfandel is a favorite for grilling, especially with ribs, often enjoying “two bottles of Zinfandel – one for cooking and one while eating.” For pasta, he prefers Chardonnay. Weeknight meals might feature the Carneros Chardonnay or the more opulent Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, depending on the dish. Red wine selections often include the Napa Valley Cabernet, Napa Valley Zinfandel, or the RHF Reserve Cabernet. For special occasions, he elevates the experience with Lady Edythe sparkling wine, Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, and the Winston Hill Bordeaux Blend.
For a truly special gift, Rich Frank might choose the Winston Hill Bordeaux Blend or The Patriarch, a wine named in honor of his father, a World War II veteran and a symbol of the American dream. Just as Rich Frank invested in creating movie masterpieces, investing in Frank Family Vineyards wines promises a rewarding and palate-pleasing experience.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Explore the world of Frank Family Vineyards and discover their exceptional Napa Valley wines. Visit Frank Family Vineyards Official Website
