"Frank Family Vineyards, a historic winery with a storied past"

I knew the Frank family from a previous career in the early 90's and never knew they owned a winery.  Several years later a mutual friend heard about a Napa Valley trip that I was planning.  He suggested stopping by to see their "little" winery.  Turns out that the Frank Family winery was something special.

Frank Family Vineyards had begun as the Larkmead Winery in 1884.  The sandstone building that welcomes the visitors is actually on the National Register of Historical Places.

In the late 1950's, Hanns Kornell purchased the Larkmead Winery and established Kornell Champagne Cellars.  He helped create an interest in good sparkling wine, but in the end, he could not compete with the well-financed European Champagne companies that begun setting up shop in California during the 70's and 80's.  By 1992, Kornell was forced to shut it's doors and Rich Frank just so happened to be looking for winery to buy.  Under the Frank Family label, these wines are gaining popularity for their outstanding quality and finesse.

Currently the Frank Family Vineyards produces quite a line-up...in keeping with the Kornell tradition, they have Brut, Blanc de blancs, Brut Rose and Reserve sparklings (methode champenoise), Chardonnay, Zinfandel (one of my favs), Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah and several tiers of Cabernet (try the Winston Hill).

If you are ever in Napa and are looking for something off the beaten path with a bit of history, not to mention wines that over deliver...try the Frank Family Vineyards!

http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage