Wine Dinner: Frank Family Vineyards

Experience the legacy of Napa Valley’s iconic Larkmead estate through an evening dedicated to Frank Family Vineyards. Founded in 1992 by Rich Frank, the winery is housed in a historic stone building that has been a cornerstone of the Calistoga landscape since 1884. This dinner celebrates a philosophy of "great wine happens in the vineyard," showcasing how the estate’s diverse acreage—spanning from the cool breezes of Carneros to the sun-drenched slopes of Rutherford—allows for a portfolio that is both broad in scope and surgical in its precision. The winemaking program, led by Todd Graff for over two decades, is defined by a meticulous balance of tradition and modern refinement. For the whites, such as the signature Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, the process emphasizes hand-sorting and barrel fermentation to achieve that hallmark creamy texture without sacrificing bright acidity. The reds benefit from extended maceration and aging in a high percentage of new French oak, a technique that polishes the robust tannins of the Winston Hill Cabernet Sauvignon into a velvety, age-worthy masterpiece. Each course of the evening is designed to mirror this craftsmanship, highlighting the interplay between oak-derived spice and pure, varietal fruit. At the heart of the Frank Family experience is a commitment to hospitality that makes even the most complex vintages feel approachable. Guests will explore the nuances of their Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, which are crafted using the same labor-intensive secondary fermentation used in Champagne, before moving into the bold, structured still wines that put the winery on the map. It is a celebration of a family-owned spirit that respects the soil of Napa Valley while constantly pushing the boundaries of what a premier California estate can achieve.