S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2017
H A RV E S T 2016 O N W I N S T O N H I L L V I N E YA R D
Saying Goodbye
TO A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY even be true. We will miss our friend Dennis terribly, as will the thousands of guests who have visited him over the years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sandy and children,” said Rich Frank. “Dennis was part of our family. He was a legend in the valley, with a larger-than-life personality and a giant heart who cared about people. He was loved by all of us at Frank Family Vineyards and he will be sadly missed,” said Leslie Frank. Dennis had worked in the Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars tasting room before Rich Frank bought the historic property on Calistoga’s Larkmead Lane in 1992. On Dec. 9th, Frank Family’s long-time tasting room manager and one of Napa Valley’s best-known personalities, Dennis Zablosky, passed away just weeks before his 72nd birthday. Dennis’ name will always be synonymous with Frank Family Vineyards. He was the first employee Rich Frank hired more than 24 years ago, and over the decades Dennis touched the lives of so many of his guests and colleagues. The Napa native, touted as a “wine legend” by Robert Mondavi, personally ensured that every visitor to the winery had the best experience possible. “Very few people achieve a point in life where everyone knows them by their first name. Dennis was one of those people. Whether you called him the Concierge or Mayor of Napa, Dennis was always present with a smile and a story. Sometimes the story would
“The joke was that Dennis came with the furniture when the winery was sold,” said Frank Family winemaker and general manager Todd Graff. Dennis was not pretentious about wine, he understood hospitality, he had the best stories, and he never forgot a face. “He had an uncanny memory of people. He’d recognize someone and might not remember their name, but told the guest he remembered when they were here 15 years ago. He made everybody comfortable,” Graff said. Graff said he and Dennis had the usual discussions, arm wrestling about when to sell a wine or when to hold it. “But...” added Graff, “Dennis was a great friend and co-worker, whose grassroots efforts should really be credited with putting Frank Family on the wine map.”
Employee Spotlight:
VICTOR RAYA, SHIPPING MANAGER
Victor Raya plays one of the most important roles here at Frank Family Vineyards. While the glory usually goes to the liquid in the bottles, it is Victor who assures that all of our club members get their wines on time, and in great condition. We invite you to get to know Victor through our Spotlight Q & A: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT FRANK FAMILY? I’ve been working at Frank Family for 11 years. I started working part-time in high school when my dad got me an interview with Dennis, who was larger than life. I walked into his office, which back then was in the white trailer next to the stone winery. Before I could even sit down he yelled across the room at me, “Do you want to work?” I was sort of taken aback by the directness of his question and answered “Yes.” I wasn’t even seated yet when he yelled at me to get a haircut and come in the following Saturday. That was the interview, and I have been here ever since. I went from helping out with glasses to shipping and then became the shipping manager about five years ago. WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE FRANK FAMILY WINE AND WHY? We don’t have it very often because it’s one of the wine club only wines, but the Calistoga Cabernet is my favorite. Calistoga is such a warm growing region and the flavors in wines from Calistoga are super intense, which is what I enjoy in Cabernet. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Tacos al Pastor. Traditionally the pork is marinated with chilies, spices and pineapple, then it’s placed on a long skewer and cooked over an open spit. Once it’s cooked, the meat is freshly cut from the skewer for each taco. I love to pair them with Frank Family Reserve Pinot Noir. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT FRANK FAMILY? I love my job because it’s hands on. I am not just out in the shipping warehouse, I am in the front of the house every day interacting with our guests. I really enjoy seeing our loyal members in the tasting room year after year, and I’ve developed good friendships with our customers. WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT FRANK FAMILY WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN? I play on three different soccer leagues for fun. I grew up playing soccer and it has always been a big part of my life.
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IF YOU WERE STUCK ON AN ISLAND AND COULD ONLY BRING THREE THINGS WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Besides some Frank Family wine, I would bring a lighter for fire, my favorite sweatshirt for warmth and a picture of my wife. Woops, that is four!
Cruising
WITH RICH & LESLIE FRANK IT WAS SMOOTH SAILING for winery owners
Rich and Leslie Frank and 45 of their guests aboard the Seabourn Sojourn luxury cruise ship last October. The second annual Frank Family Vineyards “A Taste of Life” wine cruise was an 11-day trip which sailed from Monaco to Amalfi, Malta, France and Spain. There were so many highlights each day during the voyage; from the camaraderie shared over Frank Family wines, to rustic feasts in the vineyards, private day trips to prominent Italian winery estates Ornellaia and Guado al Tasso, tapas tours in Barcelona, and of course the late night revelry on the Sojourn dance floor. “Leslie and I love sharing our wine expertise and life stories with our guests. It was great to make so many new friends on the cruise who all have a passion for drinking good wine and having a fun time,” said Rich Frank.
THIS FALL, the Franks are getting ready for their next
wine cruise, inviting guests to join them aboard the Seabourn Odyssey as they sail to Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madeira Island and Portugal. The 14-day trip from October 4 - 18 will allow guests to enjoy ports rich in a variety of cultures, each uniquely spotted with their own traditions, architecture and culinary treats. Between daytime adventures and luxurious evenings relaxing onboard, guests will participate in private receptions, wine-paired dinners and events hosted by Rich and Leslie Frank. “We’re excited to reconnect with some of our previous cruise guests who have already signed up for this year’s trip, and we look forward to meeting new friends, and we promise everyone will love the array of Frank Family wines we plan to share on board,” said Leslie Frank. Call (831) 659-0151 or email info@MmMmTravel.com. Only guests booked through MmMmTravel will have access to all Frank Family Vineyards events.
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CURRENT RELEASES WINEMAKER: TODD GRAFF
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PATRIARCH Blend Composition 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation Winston Hill Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley
Vineyards Winston Hill Vineyard is located in the eastern side of the Napa Valley’s Rutherford appellation along the Vaca Mountain range; the hand-terraced vine rows have southwestern exposure and consist of well-drained volcanic and sandstone soils that rise nearly 500 feet from the valley floor.
Cooperage 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels and 25% once-filled French oak barrels
Tasting Notes This bold Cabernet has an intense deep purple coloring, leading with powerful notes of blackberries, vanilla, and nutmeg. Plush and full-bodied on the palate with seamless and well-integrated tannins, this wine has generous flavors of dark chocolate, blackberries, crème de cassis, and extraordinary length.
2014 HARVEST
September 22nd and 23rd, 2014
BOTTLED
August 15th, 2016
ALCOHOL 14.5%
CASES 500
WINSTON HILL | RESERVE SANGIOVESE Blend Composition 93% Sangiovese, 7% Cabernet Franc
Appellation Rutherford, Napa Valley
Vineyards Winston Hill Vineyard is located in the east side of the Napa Valley’s Rutherford appellation along the Vaca Mountain range. The hand terraced wine rows have southwest exposure and consist of well drained volcanic and sandstone soils that rise nearly 500 feet from the valley floor.
Cooperage 17 months in 35% new French oak barrels and 65% once and twice filled French oak barrels
Tasting Notes The 2014 Reserve Sangiovese is scarlet in color, and opens with a beautiful bouquet of ripe strawberries, fruit cake, and baking spices. Gripping tannins are balanced on the palate with flavors of candied red cherries and cranberries, which linger through the wine’s long finish. This elegant wine will age with grace.
2014 HARVEST
ALCOHOL
BOTTLED
CASES
September 8th, 2014 March 17th, 2016
14.5% 500
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LEWIS VINEYARD | CARNEROS RESERVE CHARD ONNAY Blend Composition 100% Chardonnay
Appellation 100% Lewis Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley
Vineyards Located in the heart of Napa-Carneros, near the shores of San Pablo Bay, the Lewis Vineyard was purchased by Rich Frank in 2000 and is named for Paul Frank’s son, Lewis. It is made up of 86 acres of gently rolling hills, with 58 acres planted to Chardonnay and 10 acres planted to Pinot Noir. The predominant maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean creates the cool temperature, fog and wind that make Carneros ideally suited for growing cool climate varietals. The Lewis Vineyard consists primarily of shallow and dense clay loam soils, receiving only 20 inches of rainfall annually.
2015
Overall, the maritime influence and the restricting soils result in extremely low yields, producing grapes with strong character and balanced acidity. The practice of cool climate viticulture and the planting of small-clustered Dijon clones, such as clone 95, contribute to an intensity that is found in the Chardonnays of Frank Family’s Lewis Vineyard.
HARVEST
ALCOHOL 14.5%
Cooperage
BOTTLED
CASES
11 months in 100% new French oak barrels
August 27, 2015 August 25th, 2016
1,000
Tasting Notes This bright, golden straw-colored Chardonnay has pronounced notes of lemon peel, butterscotch, and toasted brioche on the nose. Lush and full-bodied on the palate, concentrated lemon zest flavors and a bright, balanced acidity carry the wine through its long finish.
LEWIS VINEYARD | CARNEROS RESERVE PINOT NOIR Blend Composition 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation 100% Frank Family’s Lewis Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley Carneros is at the Southern end of Napa Valley and is influenced by the cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The rolling hills are usually covered with a morning fog allowing for a long growing season.
Cooperage 10 months in 50% new French oak barrels, 50% once filled French oak barrels
Tasting Notes
2015 HARVEST
August 22nd and 24th, 2015
BOTTLED
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August 11th, 2016
ALCOHOL 14.5%
CASES 1,000
The 2015 Lewis Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir has a deep garnet color, and is enticing on the nose with notes of dark cherries, baking spices, and a hint of smoke. On the palate, generous flavors of fresh plums and sweet cherry pie meld beautifully with a bright, lingering acidity that lasts through a long finish.
NAPA VALLEY | ZINFANDEL Blend Composition 86% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah
Appellation This Napa Valley Zinfandel is blended with grapes from select blocks from our Benjamin vineyard in Rutherford, as well as fruit sourced from long term vineyard relationships combining the AVAs of Chiles Valley, St. Helena, and Calistoga.
Cooperage 16 months in 33% new French oak barrels, and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
Tasting Notes The 2014 Napa Valley Zinfandel is garnet in color, and opens with aromas of raspberries, vanilla, and earthy dried herbs notes. Medium bodied on the palate with an abundance of fresh fruit and black pepper flavors on the entry, this wine is round, silky, and finishes with flavors of ripe blackberries.
2014 HARVEST
September 13th to October 14th, 2014
BOTTLED
March 2016
ALCOHOL 14.6%
CASES 5,000
SPARKLING ROUGE Blend Composition 62 % Pinot Noir, 27 % Chardonnay, 11 % Petite Sirah
Appellation 100% Napa Valley
Winemaking Frank Family Napa Valley Champagne is made in the traditional French method where the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle. This wine then rested on the spent yeast cells for three years before disgorgement.
Tasting Notes The 2012 Sparkling Rouge is soft ruby in color, and opens with aromas of pomegranate and red roses. Lively bubbles envelop the entire mouth upon entry with flavors of tart cranberries, strawberries. A bright acidity remains on the palate through its long finish.
2012 HARVEST
August 23rd and September 5th, 2012
BOTTLED
May 15th, 2013
ALCOHOL 12.6%
CASES 1,388
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SPARKLING BRUT ROSE Blend Composition 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation 100% Carneros, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes The 2013 Sparkling Brut Rosé is a radiant blush pink color, and is dry and mouth-watering from the first sip. Elegant aromas of fresh strawberries and raspberries delicately join hints of ginger bread and blood orange on the nose. Bright bursting flavors of Pippen apple, cranberries and stone fruit are complimentary to the aromas. Small bubbles are met with a vibrant acidity leading to a crisp lingering finish on the palate.
2013 HARVEST
August 19th and 27th, 2013
BOTTLED
April 17th, 2014
ALCOHOL 12%
CASES 600
BLANC DE BLANCS Blend Composition 100% Chardonnay
Appellation 100% Carneros, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes The 2013 Blanc de Blancs is pale straw in color with a continuous thread of persistent bubbles. A beautiful bouquet marked by delicate aromas of floral lemon, brioche and green apples fuse with hints of toasted almond, wet stone and crème brûlée. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a rich structure and creaminess that brings balance and intensity to the flavors. The midpalate is luscious and creamy with flavors of freshly-baked bread and tart ripe pear. The finish shows remarkable length with an excellent minerality as notes of citrus and fresh white fruit linger.
2013 HARVEST
August 19th and 27th, 2013
BOTTLED
April 17th, 2014
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ALCOHOL 12%
CASES 600
THE RILEY 2014
“ THE RILEY” RESERVE RED WINE Blend Composition 62% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation 100% Napa Valley
THIS SPRING , we are excited to release
the first vintage of our newest exclusive wine club wine, “The Riley,” named for Rich and Leslie Frank’s beloved German Shephard. Riley was adopted in 2010 when he was 18 months old, and quickly adapted to life at the winery, greeting guests with Rich and Leslie. He’s playful and engaging, loves attention, and isn’t afraid to beg for treats if he knows you have them. He also loves playing in the vineyards and diving into the Frank’s swimming pool, no matter the time of year or temperature outside. “The Riley” is winemaker Todd Graff ’s first Merlot-based blend, and it’s as friendly and noble as its namesake. Sourced primarily from our Benjamin Vineyard in Rutherford, this wine showcases some of the finest Merlot and Cabernet Franc fruit in the Valley. We’ll be dogged if you don’t enjoy it as much as we do!
Vineyards The 2014 “The Riley” is Frank Family’s inaugural Merlotdriven red blend bottling, named for Rich and Leslie Frank’s German Shephard rescue. Sourced from our Estate Benjamin Ranch, as well as fruit from grower-partners throughout Napa, this wine showcases some of the finest Merlot and Cabernet Franc vineyards in the valley.
Cooperage 21 months in 50% new French oak barrels and 50% neutral barrels
Tasting Notes The Riley is deep ruby red, with aromas of plums, cedar, graphite and a hint of pepper. The highly structured wine has a velvety texture with flavors of black currants and cocoa. The long, luxurious finish is seemingly never ending.
HARVEST
September 3rd – 24th, 2014
BOTTLED
August 12th, 2016
ALCOHOL 14.5%
CASES 441
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RECIPE PAIRING
recipe brought to you by
BRIX
NAPA VALLEY Chef Cary Delbridge Brix Restaurant
Red
WINE BRAISED
SHORT RIBS WITH BRUSSEL SPROUT HASH PAIRED WITH
The Riley Red
Serves 4
SHORT RIBS
SHORT RIBS DIRECTIONS
3 Lbs of Short Rib
(2-Inch Cross Cut) 1 Large Carrot, Chopped 1 White Onion, Shopped 3 Celery Stalks, Chopped 4 Cloves Of Garlic, Whole 1 Qt. Red Wine ¾ C Port Wine ¼ C Red Wine Vinegar 2 Quarts’ Beef Stock
BRUSSELS
SPROUT HASH
2 ½ C Brussels Sprouts 2 ½ C Fingerling Potato 2 Tsp Butter
1 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Clove Garlic, Chopped 1 Tbsp Chopped Shallot 1 Tsp Chopped Thyme 10
Pre heat oven to 300. Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Then in a hot pan, sear the short ribs on all sides except the bone side until deep brown, and remove them from the pan. Get rid of any excess fat or oil from the pan. Rough chop your vegetables and add them to the pan. Sauté for 5 min and add the wines and vinegar. Reduce by half and add your beef stock and sachet. Bring to a boil and pour it over the top of the short ribs in a ACHET braising dish.
S
1/2 Tsp Szechuan Peppercorns 3 Sprigs Thyme 1 Sprig Rosemary
Wrap with foil and put it the oven for 1 ½ - 2 hours until tender to a fork, but not falling apart. Let the meat cool in its liquid. When ready to serve, strain the cooking liquid into a pot and heat up the short ribs in the pot. Reduce 1 cup of liquid to glaze, and glaze the meat with it and serve.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS DIRECTIONS Fill a 2 quart pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Clean brown stem and the dark green leaves from the Brussels sprouts. Cook the Brussels in the water until tender all the way through and shock them in an ice bath until cold. Then slice them in half. Pre heat your oven to 375. Toss the potatoes with salt, pepper and olive oil and put on a baking sheet and into the oven for about 12-15 minutes until tender all the way through. Let them cool and then slice them into ¼ inch rounds. When you are ready to serve, brown butter in a pan place the Brussels sprouts in the pan cut side down and caramelize them. Then add the potatoes, shallots, garlic and thyme and sauté for 30 seconds and then 2 tbsp of water to deglaze and season with salt and pepper.
A L L A B O U T FA M I L Y WELCOMING A NEW MEMBER At Frank Family Vineyards, it truly is “all about family.” And this includes our extended family—all of our club members. Because of this, we thought we’d share this sweet story from John and Lisa Blum. John and Lisa visited the winery for the first time on a trip to Napa Valley in 2014. During their visit, they were introduced to our Winston Hill wine, and fell in love with it. Since they enjoyed the wine so much, they decided to purchase a bottle with plans to hold on to it until their daughter and sonin-law had their first child. “Chelsea and Will were experiencing infertility issues, and it was my small way of believing in them and that they would finally have a baby. I bought the bottle and quietly tucked it away for when that moment happened,” said John. Without telling anyone, they held onto the bottle – and to their hopes of a grandchild. Years went by, and after a lot of struggles and frustrations, Chelsea and Will excitedly welcomed their first baby into the world on October 21st, 2016. The Blums knew they were expecting a beautiful grandson, but Chelsea and Will did not tell them the name in advance. On the day of the birth the Blums made sure they were at the hospital, and when they met their grandson for the first time they learned he had been serendipitously named Winston Carver. “I smiled and said, ‘Well, I have a surprise for you. I bought this bottle several years ago, and have been saving it for this very event. It’s called Winston Hill!’ They didn’t believe me until I showed them the bottle!” John said with excitement. The Blums took this as a good sign, and said that life has been a whole lot brighter since Winston was born. They have already ordered more Winston Hill and are patiently waiting for the 2016 vintage so they can purchase a bottle to save for Winston’s birth year wine to enjoy on his 21st birthday. Thank you John and Lisa for sharing this beautiful story, which just pulled at the heart strings of each and every Frank Family employee. The 2016 vintage is currently resting in barrels, and thankfully, it should be an outstanding vintage!
Our New Look FRANK FAMILY VINEYARDS INVITES YOU to check out our new online
look, designed to provide a more enjoyable and convenient experience for our guests who peruse our website at frankfamilyvineyards.com. Our new site has a people first philosophy and tells our story of a kind of hospitality where every guest is an extended member our family. We have used beautiful imagery to feature the entire Frank family, including our vineyard crews and winery staff, and the day-to-day activities that go into making quality hand crafted still and sparkling wine. The new site features an interactive, twelve-hour time lapse animated background on the homepage. As guests move their cursor horizontally, they will see the time of day change to illustrate that “Great Wine Happens Every Day.” It is an easy-to-maneuver site for guests wanting to purchase wine, join the wine club, read our accolades and learn more about Frank Family Vineyards. We hope you will visit our new website soon, and tell us what you think at: info@frankfamilyvineyards.com.
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Wine Club Event HIGHLIGHTS DAY ON THE BAY We began the fall season with an exciting and unforgettable sunset cruise aboard an 80’ Classic Gaff Rigged Schooner during our Day on the Bay event. As we set sail from the Sausalito Yacht Harbor, we witnessed a glorious sunset, and our guests savored a delicious meal paired to Frank Family wines with old friends and new while taking in the breathtaking surroundings. A nightcap was enjoyed under the starry sky as all aboard reveled in the beauty of the historic landmarks of San Francisco, Angel Island and The Golden Gate Bridge before returning to port. Mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual Day on the Bay sunset sail on September 16, 2017.
MEMBER HOLIDAY PARTY Before the holidays, members and their guests gathered in the beautifully decorated historic stone building to celebrate the season. In true holiday fashion, our old stone winery was decorated with two exceptional Christmas trees, the first a 16 foot classic tree decorated with strings of red pearls and ornaments, and the second one built from 120 distinct wine bottles. Upon arrival everyone was greeted with a glass of our Rouge sparkling wine and toasted to the holidays and coming New Year. Guests enjoyed light snacks and freshly prepared crepes along with a wonderful selection of Frank Family Reserve wines. The celebration concluded with a 2001 and a 2006 6-liter of Winston Hill, which was happily loved by all.
2017
EVENT CALENDAR Casino Night APRIL 29TH
Summer Celebration | Pig Roast | JUNE 24TH
Chardonnay & Lobster Dinner AUGUST 12TH
Day on the Bay SEPTEMBER 16TH
Member Holiday Party DECEMBER 2ND
DUNGENESS CRAB DINNER No t h i n g s ay s i t ’s wintertime in the Bay Area like Dungeness crab season. February marked our 2nd Annual Wine C l ub Dun gen es s Crab Dinner at the winery. This year’s event was hosted in the cellar tank room, where guests sat among the tanks filled with fermenting wine. All were treated to a spectacular evening of Frank Family Vineyards’ award winning wines, a delicious meal, and easy listening music.
OUR WINE CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY TASTINGS FOR A PARTY OF FOUR WITH AN ADVANCED RESERVATION.
Frank Family Vineyards 1091 Larkmead Lane | Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-0859 www.FrankFamilyVineyards.com Find us on Facebook!