November 21st, 2024

With an amazing history of growth, Frank Family’s fully equipped tasting facility is just as fun and friendly as in the past.  And now, there are more wines to pick from and even sparkling wines for those in love with the bubbly.

Frank Family Vineyards is situated on Larkmead Lane, just north of St. Helena Calif. This is off Route 29 for motorists and near the Napa Valley Vine Trail for bikers.  Neatly integrated into the surrounding countryside, it’s the perfect place to end the day.

They never rush the tastings and the discussion at any of the tasting bars can range from wine to just about anything else.  There are even a few long-time staffers who will reminisce about the “old operation” and offer interesting insight into what is happening in the Napa Valley today.

Winter Vineyards at Frank Family (shhh, vintage sleeping)

If you do get to meet some of the people who manage the winery, be sure to ask plenty of questions.  Their perspective on wine can be truly unique.

Of course, the best thing is tasting the wine.  There are a lot of them to cover, bubbly, whites, and an excellent selection of reds.  It all makes for a wide spectrum of flavors, so be ready to expand your taste buds.

They will start with bubbly!  Well-crafted sparklers come from a background that dates to the days of the Hans Cornell Sparkling Wine Cellars and before.  Frank Family continues this tradition with a variety of styles.

Few wineries offer such a full range of tastes, from sparkling wine to Cabernet.

Their first Chardonnay is traditionally California.  They simply describe it as their Crème Brulé.  Even though many wineries have gone away from this style of Chardonnay, we’re glad Frank Family has continued to keep this “California” approach as a choice in their lineup.

Their red offerings include a several levels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel. Therefore, if you really need to keep track of the tasting experience, you may want to jot down a few notes by the time they start pouring the reds.

Things can get a little indefinite in the late afternoon. After picking some favorites, it is advisable to head back to your favorite B&B and relax. Drive/ride responsibly!