Inside Frank Family Vineyards' Decades-Long Devotion to Napa Valley Chardonnay Page 2 of 2
Much like Graff, Sylvester has worked harvests all over the world from Australia to Italy, to South Africa, and Argentina before returning to California. Her career has included time at Chateau Montelena, as well as a focused role as a Chardonnay harvest enologist at Sonoma-Cutrer. She later held winemaking positions with Foley Family Wines and Banshee Wines, working extensively with site-specific, cool-climate Chardonnay.
Sylvester works closely with Graff, contributing her global perspective and Chardonnay-focused background while building on an established house style. Together, their complementary forces shape a Chardonnay program defined by longevity and trust.
Stewardship in the Vineyard and the Cellar
Sustainability plays a central role in how Frank Family Vineyards approaches its broader portfolio. The winery is certified Fish Friendly Farming, California Sustainable and Napa Green for both its vineyards and winery operations, reflecting a comprehensive commitment to environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and long-term land stewardship.
In the vineyards, sustainable farming practices prioritize soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity. Thoughtful canopy management, responsible irrigation, and ongoing soil monitoring support vine balance and consistent fruit quality, all elements essential to Chardonnay’s clarity and freshness. Energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction, rand ecycling and composting programs are integrated into daily operations. The winery has been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2022 through MCE Deep Green and in 2024 installed 800 solar panels, meeting more than 75% of the winery’s electricity needs on site.
Additionally, through the winery’s Frank for a Cause initiative, proceeds from select wines—including Carneros Chardonnay—have supported organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and global cleanup efforts, extending stewardship beyond the vineyard.
Hospitality That Reflects the Wines
Frank Family’s hospitality program mirrors its Chardonnay philosophy, and guests who are interested in diving into the Chardonnay program should look to the Vineyards of Carneros tasting experience which immerses guests in the winery’s single-vineyard Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and méthode champenoise sparkling wines. Tastings unfold within the Craftsman home and surrounding gardens, or within the Miller House, a luxurious venue designed by the late architect Howard Backen and named in honor of Leslie Frank (née Miller). The light-filled space overlooks the members lawn and surrounding vineyards, offering an elegant backdrop for the winery’s most elevated experiences.
As Frank Family continues to invest in its vineyards and refine its Chardonnay program, the focus remains on stewardship and clarity. That commitment is underscored by the recent acquisition and redevelopment of Winery Lake Vineyard, a historic 256-acre site in Napa-Carneros long regarded as one of the appellation’s benchmark properties. Originally planted in the 1960s and carefully brought back into production under Frank Family’s direction, the vineyard now spans 162 planted acres across gently rolling terrain, with diverse clones, varied exposures, and a mix of clay, loam, and rocky soils. Planted primarily to Chardonnay, Winery Lake Vineyard is poised to play an increasingly important role in the winery’s future bottlings.
Through thoughtful growth, sustainable practices, and a deep understanding of its audience, Frank Family Vineyards has built a Chardonnay legacy defined by trust. These are wines that show up reliably again and again, and have earned their place.