2019 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir

About Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2019 Carneros:

A beautiful expression of the Carneros appellation

• Tasting Notes:

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.

• Barrel Selection:

9 months in 33% new French oak barrels, 67% once- and twice-filled French oak barrels.

• Growing Notes:

Frank Family’s estate Lewis Vineyard provides the basis for this wine, with fruit from neighboring Beckstoffer Vineyards in Napa-Carneros and Sangiacomo Vineyards located in Sonoma-Carneros to round out the blend.

Harvest Dates: September – October, 2019

• Winemaking Notes:

100% Pinot Noir. This is a Carneros Pinot Noir through and through. In California, we are blessed with an abundance of sunshine, and vineyards are being farmed with that in mind. While respecting the heritage and craft of Burgundian winemaking, Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir is made to showcase the character of this beautiful fruit and its terroir at their very best.

• About The Winery:

Frank Family Vineyards has a small winery mentality, where everything they do has the smallest details in mind. They use only 100% French oak barrels, their refined elegance lending itself to the wines of the same. In 2008, the winery fully renovated with all state-of-the-art equipment. From small-lot fermentation to bottling, everything’s done on-property. Perfecting the many styles within each varietal for fine wines without the grandiose.

Winemaker and General Manager Todd Graff is behind Frank Family’s reputation. As a world-class producer of Napa Valley Cabernet and Chardonnay. Their Napa Green certification for both land and winery. Prior to joining the family 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.

• Todd Graft

Todd honed his craft and grew his technical skills throughout wineries in Napa Valley. Including his time as Assistant Winemaker at Stag’s Leap Winery, as Assistant Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Schramsberg Vineyards, as Sparkling Winemaker at Cordoniu in Napa (now Artesa), and as Winemaker at Sonoma Creek Winery.

He played an essential role in our winery’s steady growth over the past 19 vintages. Including our recognization as “Winery of the Year” by the Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine in both 2012 and 2017. In 2020, Todd was named “Napa Winemaker of the Year” by the North Bay Business Journal. As a result of his positive contributions to the wine industry.