Frank Family Subscriptions • June 2021
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fter the winter rains, spring is a rejuvenating time of year in Napa Valley, when wild California poppies adorn the vibrant green hillsides, vineyards start to awaken with the start of bud break, closely followed by flowering and fruit set. There’s an overall excitement as the days and vines grow longer. In June, most days are dry, sunny and receive virtually no rain. There’s rarely a cloud in the sky from sunrise to sunset, giving our quickly growing vines the energy they need to keep their course. We’re embracing this sunny weather at the winery by continuing to offer al fresco tastings in a range of open spaces. From our covered back deck to our tree-shaded picnic grounds, we love seeing guests experience our wines and our story from a new perspective. Our tasting tent located on the winery front lawn just received a seasonal refresh as well and is ready to host guests and keep them cool all summer long.
Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
Until your next visit to our Calistoga property, please continue to enjoy your monthly delivery of your favorite Frank Family wines. We also hope you enjoy this short and sweet online newsletter filled with wine details, our go-to summer recipe, our newest wine release, Leslie Rosé and the announcement of an exciting summer event featuring BBQ specialist, Jack Arnold. However you celebrate this summer, be sure to savor every moment with friends, family, and Frank of course - cheers!
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Rich & Leslie Frank Proprietors
Subscriptions Overview Carneros Chardonnay
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2019
2017
Carneros Pinot Noir
Portfolio Collection
2019
2019 Carneros Chardonnay 2019 Lewis Vineyard Pinot Noir
Napa Valley Zinfandel
2017 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
June 2021
2018
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Carneros Chardonnay 2019 Tasting Notes A vibrant citrus-led nose delves into nuanced flavors of baked apple, toasted oak, and brioche on the full-bodied palate. The rich mouthfeel is harmonized by a lasting thread of bright acidity that lifts and maintains freshness on the long finish. Winemaker Notes As with all my wines, I am looking for texture and complexity. To achieve this, I practice a long cold fermentation and then put the wine through malolactic fermentation to soften the overall high acidity. While aging, I employ batonage (hand-stirring the lees) to give weight and depth to the wine. Sourcing Sourced primarily from our family-owned Lewis Vineyard as well as neighboring Beckstoffer Vineyards and Hudson Vineyards located in Napa-Carneros and Sangiacomo Vineyards located in Sonoma-Carneros. Aging Barrel fermented in 34% new, 33% once and 33% twice-filled French oak barrels for 8 months.
Varietal Composition
100% Chardonnay
Harvest Date
September 4 - October 11, 2019
Bottled
June 2020
Acid 0.56 g/100ml Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
pH 3.46
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Alcohol 14.4%
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Carneros Pinot Noir 2019 Tasting Notes A beautiful expression of the Carneros appellation, this Pinot Noir opens with lively aromas of strawberry, ripe red cherry, and a touch of baking spice. The palate is greeted with a juicy, full-bodied mouthfeel and refreshing, well-balanced acidity that lingers on the finish. Winemaker Notes We’re not trying to make a Burgundian Pinot Noir. We are blessed with California sunshine and we have to farm with that in mind. We’ve learned a lot from the French and we respect the French, but we’re trying to do what California does best. We have an abundance of this great fruit, so we’re not going to hide it at all. Sourcing Winemaking starts in the vineyard and we are lucky to have been working with a few family vintners for more than a decade. The Sangiacomos in Sonoma-Carneros and the Beckstoffers in Napa Carneros farm two of the vineyards of which this wine is made. Both families are stewards of the land and masters at cultivating plush Pinot Noir grapes that capture the essence of the Carneros terroir. In the winery, we are able to ‘marry’ these two vineyards with our beautiful estate-grown Lewis Vineyard fruit in a way that highlights and praises all that Carneros has to offer. Aging
Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
10 months in 33% new French oak barrels, 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
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Varietal Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Harvest Date
September 19- 30, 2019
Bottled
June 2020
Acid 0.57 g/100ml pH 3.56 Alcohol 14.5%
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Napa Valley Zinfandel 2018 Tasting Notes Fragrant earthiness lies beneath rich black cherry and plum flavors in this full-bodied, deep-colored wine. Mocha, cardamom, and baked cherry enhance the wine’s refreshing acidity and powerful tannins that find harmony on the lingering finish. Winemaker Notes Frank Family is passionate about California’s heritage grape, Zinfandel. A notorious uneven ripener, it is difficult to grow in certain years, but 2018 brought generous sun and a long, mild harvest season which provided our grapes ideal conditions to ripen fully. Some of our estate Zinfandel vines were planted as early as 1999 and continue to produce stellar fruit each year. Sourcing This Napa Valley-designate wine is cultivated from our estate vineyards in Capell Valley and Rutherford and from neighboring vineyards in St. Helena and Calistoga. Frank Family's S&J Vineyard is comprised of 75 planted acres on fertile, well-draining soil, reminiscent of the Rutherford Bench. Our newest family-owned vineyard, Benjamin Vineyard, is located east of Conn Creek Road on the Rutherford floor. The site is anchored by gravely loam soil as a result of sediment from the nearby Conn Creek and Napa River. Aging
Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
16 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
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Varietal Composition
89% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Sirah
Harvest Date
September 9 - October 16, 2018
Bottled
April 9, 2020
Acid 0.64 g/100ml pH 3.69 Alcohol 14.8%
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Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Tasting Notes A beautiful wine from a near-perfect vintage, this robust Cabernet Sauvignon shows balance and complexity - a blend of dark berry, generous oak notes, clove, and nutmeg. This is a supple and complex wine, full-bodied in style, with a punch of power, ripeness, and elegance from start to finish. Winemaker Notes Our goal is to make a complete, balanced wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is a great grape, it’s the king of Napa Valley after-all. But it can benefit from the addition of other grapes, like Merlot which adds some softness. Together you get the whole package. Sourcing Sourced primarily from our family-owned S&J Vineyard in Napa’s Capell Valley and our Benjamin Vineyard located on the valley floor in the heart of Rutherford. Additional vineyard sources include neighboring Quarry Vineyard and Round Pond Estate both in Rutherford as well as Delouise and Shooting Star Vineyard located in Napa Valley. Aging 20 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
Varietal Composition
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Verdot, 2%
Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
Merlot
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Harvest Date
October 17 - November 6, 2018
Bottled
July 2020
Acid 0.60 g/100ml pH 3.64 Alcohol 14.5%
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Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
Lewis Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Tasting Notes
The grace of Carneros shines through the glass as aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and hints of lavender greet the nose. On the palate, flavors of fresh raspberry mingle with flecks of cardamom and baking spice. A bright pop of acid mid-palate offers refreshing balance followed by a satisfying and lingering finish. Winemaker Notes Carneros is the coolest region the the Napa Valley. The temperate weather in addition to the location of our Lewis Vineyard, which sits on a slope facing the San Pablo Bay, truly make this vineyard an ideal site for growing Pinot Noir. The grapes are kept separate from other lots throughout the winemaking process, resulting in a singlevineyard wine bursting with energy, grace, and length. Sourcing Lewis Vineyard has been a part of our family since 2000 and has become the cornerstone of Frank Family’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wine programs. Its proximity to the San Pablo Bay has an unique affect on the vines. A combination of ample sunshine and daily cool ocean breezes allow each berry to ripen fully while retaining its natural acidity. The result is gorgeous, balanced wines deserving of the Carneros designation. Aging 10 months in 50% new and 50% once-filled French oak barrels
Varietal Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Harvest Date
September 9 - October 16, 2018
Bottled
April 9, 2020
Acid 0.57 g/100ml Alcohol 14.5%
June 2021
pH 3.68
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Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Tasting Notes
From the acclaimed Oakville appellation, this beautifully layered wine is brimming with exuberant black cherry and toasted oak aromas. On the palate, soft, supple waves of dark plum and cassis meet secondary flavors of freshly tilled earth, dried herb and clove, ending in smooth, elongated tannins. Winemaker Notes Our goal has always been to create expressive wines that coax the most unique aspects from their specific place of origin. With this in mind, we vinify a series of smalllot 100% varietal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons, each from an important Napa Valley appellation. The Oakville Cabernet is the newest addition to our Cabernet porfolio, with 600 cases produced in 2017. It is a nicely extracted and expressive wine with a well-defined black-fruit character. Sourcing Sourced from select vineyards from the Oakville AVA, located along the valley floor in the heart of Napa Valley. The appellation extends over a flat expanse of well-drained soils of gravel and sand between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains resulting in wines with intense concentration, rich texture, and firm tannins. Aging 20 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
Varietal Composition
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest Date
October 7, 2017
Bottled
August 30, 2019
Acid 0.69 g/100ml pH 3.54
June 2021
Alcohol 14.5%
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Chicken Stir Fry Recipe & Napa Valley Zinfandel
Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
Recipe Curated by Chef Christina Machamer
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love this stir fry because it packs a ton of flavor and nutrients, is easy to customize, and fits into almost any diet as it is gluten free, dairy free, and sugar free. It is super simple to execute, and pairs well with sparkling wines, white wines, and lighter reds like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. If you are a Cabernet fan, switch the protein to skirt steak and add an extra squeeze of lime. Serve over rice or use cauliflower rice to keep it low carb.
INGREDIENTS: 1 Tablespoon Toasted sesame oil 1 Tablespoon Light olive oil, coconut oil, or canola oil 1 each Boneless/skinless chicken breast or thighs, sliced thin 1 Tablespoon Ginger, minced 1 Tablespoon Garlic, minced 2 Cups Fresh vegetables, sliced thin (I ike to use red onion, bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, yellow squash, and broccolini) 3 Tablespoons Coconut Aminos Garlic Sauce To Taste Fresh lime juice and soy sauce Garnish with cilantro and cashews or roasted peanuts. METHOD: 1. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Add sesame, or other oil, and chicken. Sauté until opaque and cooked through, about 6 minutes. 2. Move chicken to the outer edge of the pan and sauté ginger and garlic in the center until aromatic, about 1 minute. 3.Add vegetables to the pan in order of cook time - onion, bell pepper, carrot first, sauté for 2 minutes, then add squash and broccolini.
June 2021
4.When vegetables are fully cooked, add Coconut Aminos Garlic Sauce, and simmer until sauce is reduced to a glaze. Adjust seasoning with fresh lime juice and/or soy sauce as desired. Serve with fresh cilantro and either roasted peanuts or cashews.
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Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
“The best wines come with stories and the Leslie Rosé is a story of love, adventure, and a serious passion fo r go o d w in e m a k in g.” - Leslie Frank
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The Wine You've Been Waiting for:
Leslie Rosé
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rank Family has a profound passion for Pinot Noir, which we’ve grown and sourced to craft still and sparkling wines for the past two decades. Now, we continue our family’s exploration of this beloved grape with a crisp, light, and elegant wine, deservedly named, Leslie Rosé. This new wine is a tribute to Proprietor, Leslie Frank. Inspired by her love for Provençal rosé and the “good life”, this rosé embraces Leslie’s fun-loving spirit and her philosophy to always take time for ourselves and to embrace the beauty and simple pleasures in life. Rosé is a wine that brings joy to people. It has an undeniable power to transcend you to summertime, to time with friends, to your favorite holiday destination. “For me, as I sip this wine, I’m reminded of some of my favorite travels,” said Leslie. “Its lovely rose gold shade captures the essence of summer sunsets in Napa Valley and conjures memories of sun-kissed terraces in Bandol, France.” From its beautiful hue to its refreshing acidity and lavish layers of strawberry, white peach, and orange blossom, it offers a brilliant expression of Carneros rosé that is the perfect package of pure quenchability. It’s a wine that’s both serious yet whimsical – and that’s its charm.
Behind the scenes, Frank Family’s Cellar Master, Armando Padilla has been experimenting with still rosé production for many years, even bottling several cases exclusively for employee and family enjoyment. When Leslie first tasted and fell in love with Armando’s rosé, she wanted to take it up a notch and bring Winemaker Todd Graff into the mix to create something special just for Frank Family members and friends. With Leslie’s gentle nudge, Frank Family started to intentionally cultivate and vinify Pinot Noir for the purpose of making rosé from the start.
“Pinot Noir is one of my favorite grapes to work with. It’s not exactly easy to grow and it can be challenging to make, which is part of its appeal for me as a winemaker. The grape grows so beautifully in Napa’s Carneros region which is why it comes as no surprise that Carneros Pinot Noir is capable of also producing gorgeous rosés, demonstrated by our newest bottling.” – Todd Graff
Vineyard Sourcing & Winemaking
The Leslie Rosé is sourced exclusively from parcels of the best vineyards in Napa’s acclaimed Carneros region, including our family-owned Lewis Vineyard located along the shores of the San Pablo Bay. The cooling influences of the Bay as well as the nearby Pacific Ocean allow for delicate maturation of the grapes and retention of bright flavors. This wine was crafted with Pinot Noir grapes that were grown specifically to showcase the attributes we desire most in rosé – fresh aromatics, vibrant flavors, and natural acidity. Picked in the chill of the night, the grapes were brought to the winery and immediately pressed while the fruit was still cool to maintain its fruitforward profile and to achieve its perfect light hue. Fermentation took place entirely in stainless steel tanks, preserving its fresh acidity and delicate aromas before bottling just 250 cases in March 2021.
Now Available
We are excited to share the 2020 vintage, our debut release, with you online. Due to the limited nature of this wine, allocations are limited to three bottles per person at this time. Please visit our website for more details and to order.
June 2021
Years in the Making
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Fran k Fam i ly Sub s cr ipt ions
“Wine and BBQ is a powerhouse pairing, and Jack has mastered his craft in a way that is both entertaining a n d d e l ic io u s . .” - Liam Gearity
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We're Bringing the Heat: 4th of July BBQ Bash with Pitmaster Jack Arnold
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rank Family Vineyards will host a flame throwing, tong flipping, one-of-a-kind virtual event this July 3 in celebration of Independence Day and the winery’s 28th anniversary. The 4th of July BBQ Bash will feature BBQ Specialist, Backyard Pitmaster, and Instagram Celebrity, Jack Arnold, who will host a cooking demonstration on Saturday, July 3 at 2:00 pm PST/ 5:00 pm EST. Viewers will learn how to grill various cuts of KOW Cattle Company’s family farmed American Wagyu beef to perfection on a Big Green Egg charcoal grill. The event will be hosted by Proprietor Leslie Frank, Winemaker Todd Graff, and Director of Hospitality Liam Gearity, who will offer expert wine pairings for each cut and recipe. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with such a talented and lively BBQ pitmaster to bring our fans a oneof-a-kind summertime experience,” says Gearity. “Wine and BBQ is a powerhouse pairing, and Jack has mastered his craft in a way that is both entertaining and delicious.” To enhance the experience, guests at home may purchase the winery’s “Red, White and Moo” packages featuring both Frank Family wines and KOW steaks. Each package will feature the 2015 Blanc de Blancs, 2017 S&J Vineyard Petite Sirah, and 2017 RHF Cabernet Sauvignon alongside various cuts of beef from highly sought-after KOW Cattle Company.
“If there is any knowledge I have to share with the world, it’s certainly about how to grill a good backyard BBQ,” says Jack Arnold, who is one of the most highly rated BBQ Specialists and Backyard Pitmasters in the country. Joining the Big Green Egg pro team in 2017, Jack rose to prominence in 2018 when he began cooking for Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers. He is now the BBQ Event Host for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts across the US and has established an elite following of personal cooking experience clientele.
About KOW Steaks KOW Cattle Company is a sixth-generation, family-owned, ranch-to-table American Wagyu company. Based in Southwest Iowa, their products are sourced by some of the world’s most notable culinary leaders, such as award-winning chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and David Chang, along with renowned restaurants like Strip House, Delmonico’s, The James Beard House, The Gotham Burger Social Club and more.
“There’s nothing Rich and I enjoy doing more on a summer afternoon than spending time by the grill with a glass of wine in hand. With such a renowned pit master, some of the best quality steaks in the world and Frank Family’s highly-acclaimed wines, this is going to be a Fourth of July BBQ like no other.” – Leslie Frank
June 2021
About Jack Arnold
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1091 LARKMEAD LANE - CALISTOGA, CA 94515 707-942-0859 WWW.FRANKFAMILYVINEYARDS.COM