Rich Frank, a name synonymous with Hollywood success as the former President of Disney Studios, might seem an unlikely vintner. Yet, his journey took an intriguing turn from the silver screen to the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, culminating in the esteemed Frank Family Vineyards. This is the story of how a love for Napa and a serendipitous opportunity blossomed into exceptional Frank Family Wine.
Before Napa captivated him, Frank’s career was studded with leadership roles at Paramount Television Group, Chris Craft Television, and as a founder of the USA Network. He greenlit iconic shows and films like Cheers, Golden Girls, Pretty Woman, Aladdin, and The Lion King, leaving an indelible mark on global entertainment. Even now, as Vice Chairman and Executive Board Member of the American Film Institute, his influence remains strong. But the relentless pace of Hollywood eventually led him to seek respite, and he found it in Napa Valley.
“Work was 24/7 at Disney – there was no break,” Rich Frank recounted. His escapes to a Malibu rental offered brief pauses, but it was Napa Valley in the late 1980s that truly resonated. “I fell in love with the area. It was a great place for a second home.” This affection led to the purchase of a 1930s Tudor home in Rutherford in 1990, complete with land, a few vines, and a pivotal neighbor, Kerner Rombauer. Rombauer, a figure in the wine industry, offered a grounded perspective, “Don’t quit your day job. The wine business is tough.”
Rich Frank
Rich Frank, owner of Frank Family Vineyards, poses in front of the historic Larkmead Building in Napa Valley.
Despite the cautionary advice, fate had other plans. Frank admits, “owning a winery was not a lifelong dream or aspiration. But sometimes you can’t plan things… they just work out. The area and people hooked me first and then, wine.” By 1992, an opportunity arose with the iconic Larkmead Building, formerly Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars. Seizing the moment, Rich Frank purchased it, and with Rombauer’s collaboration in liquidating the existing inventory, Frank Family Vineyards officially opened its doors on July 4, 1993.
The Frank Family wine endeavor is a true partnership with his wife, Leslie Frank. An Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, Leslie is co-proprietor and the driving force behind Marketing & Branding. Her expertise shapes the winery’s outreach, website, and overall brand identity. In recent times, Leslie has also pioneered engaging virtual tastings, further extending the reach and appeal of Frank Family wine.
Rich Frank and Leslie Frank
Rich and Leslie Frank, co-proprietors of Frank Family Vineyards, at a vintner’s dinner.
The Art of Winemaking at Frank Family Vineyards
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 take about a year to produce. And financially, you lay out the money early before you can get it back.”
The “director” in Frank Family’s wine story is Todd Graff, who joined the team 18 years ago as Winemaker and now serves as General Manager. Graff’s extensive background includes winemaking at Schramsberg and Cordoniu (now Artesa), bringing a depth of experience to Frank Family wine. Rich Frank lauds him as a “phenomenal winemaker,” a sentiment echoed in the winery’s diverse portfolio, now boasting 22 different wines. Graff’s philosophy is rooted in respect for terroir and varietal character, aiming to create wines with “structure and balance.”
Each site is the best place for its respective varietals to grow. For example, our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are sourced from Carneros, whose cool maritime climate is perfect for such varietals. As for our Rutherford properties, the Rutherford AVA is the heart of Napa’s Cabernet land, that distinct Rutherford Dust creates an incredible character in our Cabernet Sauvignons.
Winston Hill, with soils of well drained, volcanic deposits and sandstone, is located 500 feet off the valley floor in Rutherford, on the east side of the Napa Valley along the Vaca Mountain Range. Due to its southwest exposure Winston Hill receives some of the longest hours of sunshine in the valley. The vineyard has an average rainfall of 24-26 inches per year.
Benjamin Vineyard is in the very heart of Rutherford just west of Conn Creek Road and is on gravelly loam soil resulting from sediment from the Conn Creek and Napa River which flowed through the region thousands of years ago. Located on the valley floor it gets long hours of sunshine and cool, breezy nights which lets the grapes mature slowly and steadily.
Lewis Vineyard is made up of 86 acres of gently rolling hills on primarily shallow and dense clay loam. It’s located in the Napa/Carneros AVA near the shores of the San Pablo Bay which creates a predominant maritime influence with cool temperatures, fog and wind and receiving only about 20 inches of rainfall annually.
S&J Vineyard is of well-drained and clay loam-based soil, reminiscent of Rutherford Bench. It’s located east of the Vaca Mountain Range in Capell Valley. At 700 feet it sees cool nights balanced with warm days which allows for a long and even ripening of the grapes. Todd Graff, Winemaker and General Manager
Todd Graff, Rich Frank
Todd Graff, Winemaker and General Manager of Frank Family Vineyards, with owner Rich Frank.
Frank Family Vineyards is committed to sustainability, earning Napa Green certification in 2015, among the first in Calistoga. Todd Graff details their eco-conscious practices: “in the winery we recycle all grape must, corks, packaging and capsules, as well as recycling all office supplies such as ink cartridges and paper. Currently we are experimenting with a variety of cold stabilization techniques to reduce energy use including trials on chemical stabilization and filter stabilization. We’ve reduced energy use in the winery by installing skylights which enhance natural light and we’ve increased insulation which allows us to use less air conditioning in warmer months and less heat in cooler months. To conserve water, we’ve installed flow meters in the winery, forgo water in place of steam whenever possible, recycle winery greywater into landscaping and we reuse chemical washes for tanks, using one set of chemicals for three tanks.”
Tasting the Excellence of Frank Family Wine
Rich Frank’s personal philosophy shapes the Frank Family wine portfolio. He emphasizes producing wines he personally enjoys, stating, “I never made a horror movie because I hate horror movies…so I don’t make Sauvignon Blanc.” However, his appreciation for sparkling wine, a nod to the Larkmead Building’s Hanns Kornell heritage, remains. With Todd Graff’s sparkling wine expertise, the winery produces limited quantities of four méthode traditionelle sparkling wines, with Lady Edythe as the flagship, primarily for wine club members and winery sales.
Still wines are the heart of Frank Family Vineyards. Tasting notes reveal the elegance and appeal of their offerings. The Frank Family 2018 Carneros Chardonnay ($38), paired beautifully with seared scallops and caponata, exhibiting notes of toasted brioche, lemon, lime, herbs, and a creamy finish. The Frank Family 2018 Carneros Pinot Noir ($38) showcased aromas of raspberries, cherries, cola, vanilla, and a hint of milk chocolate, with lush red berry flavors and balanced acidity.
Rich Frank
Close-up of Rich Frank holding a glass of Frank Family wine, showcasing the winery’s passion.
For Zinfandel enthusiasts, the Frank Family 2017 Napa Valley Zinfandel ($38) delivers with red berry, oregano, toast, and smoky aromas, followed by pomegranate, juicy berry, and spice flavors. The Frank Family 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($58) is a standout, bursting with black cherry, vanilla, cola, chocolate, and baking spice notes, offering a complex palate with dark fruit and firm tannins.
Rich Frank
Rich Frank tasting Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon, a flagship wine of the Napa Valley winery.
Rich Frank’s Wine Preferences and Gifting
What does Rich Frank personally enjoy drinking? He favors “big wines” like Cabernet Sauvignon and quality Chardonnay. A grilling enthusiast, he shares, “when ribs are sizzling, it will be a two-bottle of Zinfandel dinner… one for cooking and one while eating.” Pasta nights call for Chardonnay, often the Carneros Chardonnay or the “bigger” Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay. Red wine choices include Napa Valley Cabernet, Napa Valley Zinfandel, or the RHF Reserve Cabernet. For special occasions, he starts with Lady Edythe sparkling, progresses to Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, and culminates with the Winston Hill Bordeaux Blend.
Rich Frank
Rich Frank discussing Frank Family wine pairings, highlighting the versatility of Napa Valley wines.
As a gift, “If I really like them,” Rich Frank chuckled, “I’ll give a bottle of the Winston Hill Bordeaux Blend or The Patriarch.” The Patriarch holds special significance, named after his father, a World War II veteran who served with distinction. This wine embodies the American dream and honors a true patriot.
Reflecting on the parallels between his past and present ventures, Rich Frank’s success in Hollywood is mirrored in the acclaim of Frank Family wine. With Rich Frank’s vision and Todd Graff’s winemaking expertise, investing in Frank Family Vineyards promises a rewarding experience for any wine lover.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Explore the world of Frank Family wine and discover more at their website. Frank Family Vineyards Website
