Inside Frank Family Vineyards' Decades-Long Devotion to Napa Valley Chardonnay Page 1 of 2
Frank Family Vineyards has become something of a shorthand in Napa Valley. Mention the name and expectations follow: assured quality, gracious hospitality, and wines that have earned lasting loyalty. For lovers of luxury Napa Valley Chardonnay, it’s a household name, built through consistency and an intuitive understanding of what Chardonnay drinkers return to again and again.
Situated off Larkmead Lane in Calistoga, the winery unfolds across a pale yellow 1930s Craftsman home, with sun porches and garden paths that shape one of the valley’s most appealing tasting venues. Visits here are relaxed and social. Guests settle in and conversations unfold naturally. Founders Rich and Leslie Frank are often present, greeting visitors and reinforcing the sense that this is a family operation. That spirit carries from the tasting rooms to the vineyards, and directly into the glass.
A Chardonnay House, by Design
Frank Family produces many varietals, yet Chardonnay is a backbone of the winery’s identity. Their approach emphasizes vineyard specificity, thoughtful sourcing, and a precise house style. For many wine lovers, Frank Family’s Carneros Chardonnay is woven into everyday rituals. It is the bottle that shows up at family gatherings, celebrations, and weeknight dinners. It is the Chardonnay ordered instinctively when it appears on a restaurant list. Familiar in the best sense, it has earned its place through years of dependable excellence.
The wine resonates because it consistently reflects balance, and freshness. Sourced primarily from the winery’s Lewis Vineyard in Carneros, with additional fruit from Beckstoffer Vineyards in Napa-Carneros and Sangiacomo Vineyards in Sonoma-Carneros, the wine expresses both site and season. In the glass, Meyer lemon and yellow apple lead, followed by guava and subtle baking spice. The texture is polished, with a finish that invites another sip. It pairs naturally with food and stands comfortably on its own, making it a trusted choice for a wide range of occasions.
Beyond the Carneros Chardonnay, Frank Family produces a small collection of vineyard-designated and limited-production Chardonnays that explore Napa and Sonoma in greater depth. These wines, often reserved for members, offer a more focused look at individual sites and growing conditions.
The Sangiacomo Chardonnay, sourced from the Kiser Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, highlights energy and definition, shaped by maritime influence.
The Beckstoffer Chardonnay, drawn from Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard, presents a layered expression, combining elegance with depth and a supple texture.
From the heart of Carneros, the Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay delivers richness and dimension. Grown on the vineyard’s highest knolls and aged for 11 months in 100 percent new French oak, the wine unfolds gradually, revealing structure alongside generosity.
Completing the lineup is Frank Family’s Blanc de Blancs, a sparkling expression rooted in Chardonnay and shaped by the winery’s history with traditional-method wines. Produced in limited quantities and aged extensively on the lees, the wine is crisp and finely textured, reinforcing Chardonnay’s versatility, whether still or sparkling.
Senior Winemaker and General Manager Todd Graff has been a defining presence at Frank Family Vineyards since 2003, guiding the winery through more than two decades of growth while maintaining a clear stylistic throughline, particularly with Chardonnay. His background includes work across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, experience that shaped a measured, site-driven approach grounded in balance, texture, and consistency.
His tenure has spanned key milestones for the winery, including expanded vineyard holdings, the development of a modern and sustainable production facility, and the achievement of Napa Green certification for both vineyard and winery operations. Through it all, Chardonnay has remained a focal point, crafted to reflect both place and the expectations of a loyal, nationwide following.
In 2024, Graff was joined by Winemaker Alicia Sylvester , whose experience adds breadth and momentum to the program. A California native, Sylvester grew up immersed in agriculture on her family’s almond farm and Zinfandel vineyard in the Central Valley, an early foundation that informs her practical, hands-on approach in the cellar.