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Rich Frank Todd GraffDennis Zablosky
Paul FrankDarryl Frank
Todd Graff
Winemaker
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Todd Graff, Winemaker
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Winemaker Todd Graff traveled extensively working in wineries in Europe, Australia and California over the last twenty years, before he settled in as a winemaker for a Napa property less than 50 miles from his native Petaluma, California. Todd assumed the role as winemaker for Frank Family Vineyards in 2003. “It is a great opportunity for me to work with talents like Rich Frank. He sustains an ultra-high level quality and has some of the most amazing vineyards in the Napa Valley. Rich Frank’s estate property, Winston Hill Vineyard, produces the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Rutherford,” comments Todd. In addition to crafting fruit-driven but always balanced wines for Frank Family Vineyards, Todd loves to make the tasting room-only sparkling wines that are a nod to the heritage of the historic Larkmead property and also dovetail perfectly with his previous professional experiences with sparkling wines.
Todd was previously the winemaker for Sonoma Creek Winery, where he was able to cultivate strategic relationships with grape growers and was a key component of the winery’s executive management team. Under Todd’s leadership, Sonoma Creek’s production increased by 30%.
Todd has also held posts as Winemaker of Sparkling Wines for Codorniu in Napa (now Artesa) and as Assistant Winemaker and Vineyard Manager for Napa sparkling wine house Schramsberg Vineyards. He also served as technical director and winemaker at Caves Transmontanas in Portugal, a Schramsberg joint venture, as well as assistant winemaker for Stags Leap Winery.
Todd was first interested in winemaking when he took an introductory wine course at Santa Rosa Jr. College. He then moved on to graduate from UC Davis with a degree in Plant Science and Viticulture in 1984. Upon graduation, Graff worked in the cellars of Joseph Phelps Vineyards and worked in such esteemed wineries as Weingut Klaus in Schweicher Mosel, Germany, Chateau Yon Figeac in St. Emilion, France and Arrowfield in Australia’s Hunter Valley.
Graff is a member of the Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group. When he’s not at the winery, he enjoys spending time with his three children, coaching their sports, mountain biking and fly-fishing.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT JARVIS COMMUNICATIONS AT 310.313.6374
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