Over three decades, Frank Family has strategically expanded our vineyard properties across Napa Valley. Today, we own and farm 380 acres of vines on four estate vineyards across Carneros, Rutherford, and Capell Valley to give our winemaking team exceptional quality and unparalleled depth when it comes to crafting our diverse collection of wines. In 2012, Rich and Leslie Frank acquired Benjamin Ranch, an 87-acre property directly across the valley floor from their original Winston Hill estate in Rutherford. This coveted piece of land was formerly known as the Wood Ranch and historically provided fruit for many high-profile neighboring wineries such as Quintessa and Caymus before the Franks purchased the land for its ideal location.
Well-positioned in the heart of Rutherford, the historic ranch has recently undergone a decade-long replant to promote vine and soil health. Through the laborious replanting process, Winemaker Todd Graff and our vineyard management team focused on matching clonal selections with specific rootstocks, reorienting vine rows to aid ripening, and amending the soils through the use of cover crops to build back its health.
Starting in 2015, vineyard blocks were removed gradually and strategically in phases to lessen the impact on wine production. The first half of the replant, which included blocks 10-17, have been in full production since 2019, which gave us the green light to replant the second half in spring 2021. In many cases, not only did we change what grape variety was planted, but we also changed how it was planted, redirecting vine rows and improving irrigation and trellising systems to be more efficient and sustainable.
“We wanted to plant smarter and use grapes that made better sense for our vineyard location,” said Graff, “being in Rutherford, we put a focus on Bordeaux varieties, planting predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with a little bit of Merlot and Petite Verdot.”
Our ten-year replanting journey is finally coming to an end and this year we are excited to share the inaugural vintage of our Benjamin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon with our club members. Only 1,000 cases were produced of this luscious, deeply flavored wine, becoming the perfect addition to Frank Family’s portfolio of vineyard-focused and terroir-driven wines. The 2019 Benjamin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is a culmination of ten years of rebuilding from the ground up and we know it will soon capture the hearts and palates of the lucky few who try it.
Frank Family members can gain access to this club-exclusive wine by opting in to our Summer Club Allocation here.
