Frank Family Vineyards

Early last year, many wine lovers mourned the demolition of the original Frank Family Vineyards tasting room, which, though cramped and run-down, was universally hailed as a unique, friendly and decidedly wine-centric destination. The tears dried quickly, though—a recovery made easier by the tasting facility’s August 2008 move into the property’s original, Craftsman-style farmhouse.

The new setup definitely boasts more space, but the really good news is, it hasn’t lost any of the original’s charm. That’s the intention, says Tasting Room Manager (and Napa Valley legend) Dennis Zablosky. “We wanted it newer, beautiful and better,” he says, “but still comfortable for all our friends who used to come see us in the falling-down building we had before.

“The main thing [owner Rich Frank] wanted from the remodel was to retain what this was,” Zablosky continues. “He didn’t want anything flashy or with stainless steel. He wanted an old ranch house and barn. He wanted to keep this property looking like it’s been here all along.”

Success! From the minute you turn into the gravel driveway and parking area, you’re surrounded by history. For starters, Frank Family Vineyards encompasses Larkmead winery, the third-oldest winery in Napa. These days, the impressive stone building near the entrance is used primarily for hosting private events, but its dark, moody interior, which is lined with towering 15,000- and 10,000-gallon wooden wine tanks, still speaks to eras gone by.

Immediately adjacent to the sandstone walls is a large, simply styled plank board barn that houses the winery facility, including a crush pad and bottling, aging and storage areas. At close to 100,000 square feet, there’s even enough space to offer custom crush (for three clients currently), and bottling and storage space (for six smaller wineries).

Bike racks, shaded picnic tables and winemaker Todd Graff’s chocolate Lab, Bristol, make for a warm welcome to the tasting room (or should I say, “tasting house”?). Restored and painted traditional farmhouse yellow, the home’s interior remodel retained most of the room divisions, so you move from room to room, each with its own tasting bar and different offerings, stop to admire a painting (they’re all for sale) or piece of antique winemaking equipment, and find yourself next to folks you don’t necessarily know. But your common link—you’re all there for the great wine—starts the conversation, and soon enough, everyone’s a friend.

Most Frank Family offerings are only available at the winery. “All our Reserve wines—Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and all our Champagnes—are only sold here,” says Zablosky. “The only three wines you can find away from here right now are the 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay, the 2006 Napa Valley Zinfandel and the 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.”

What’s more, there’s no wine club: “We don’t have enough wine.” What Zablosky does have, however, is an extensive list of names, which he calls personally when new releases match their interest. “I probably call about 2,000 people,” he says. “The amazing thing is, they’re all happy to hear from me: ‘Dennis, thank you so much for calling! What’s the weather like in Napa Valley? We’re coming back in two months.’

“If they’re in Chicago or New York and it’s snowing, they want to hear from us, because it reminds them of their last trip to sunny Napa Valley.”

Want to be on the list? “Come in and buy some wine,” Zablosky says. You’re sure to be welcome.

“This is like a family winery with great wines,” says Zablosky. “Most restaurants think of the people who walk through their doors as customers—but there are more than 140 open and bonded wineries in Napa Valley. If someone picks us a second time, they’re not a customer or a client; that visit makes them our friends.”

Did You Know?

• Built in 1884, Larkmead winery appears on the National Register of Historical Places and is listed as a California Point of Interest.

• In 2007, winery owner (and retired entertainment executive) Rich Frank was honored with the Rich and Syd Cassyd Founders Award by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.