At Frank Family Vineyards, storytelling has always been at the heart of the experience. Long before the first vines were planted or the first vintage bottled, Rich and Leslie Frank were immersed in stories—shaping them, sharing them, and bringing them to life on screens large and small. Today, that same spirit of creativity, intention, and passion lives on in every bottle that bears the Frank Family name.
“Wine, like film, has the power to bring people together and create moments that linger long after the last sip.” – Rich Frank
As the former President of Paramount Television Group and later President of Disney Studios from 1985 to 1994, Rich Frank helped create some of the most iconic television shows and films of all time into the cultural spotlight. Under his leadership, beloved titles such as Cheers, Taxi, Family Ties, The Golden Girls, Entertainment Tonight, Pretty Woman, Dead Poets Society, Aladdin, and The Lion King achieved extraordinary success—stories that continue to resonate across generations.
While Rich was shaping the entertainment industry from the executive suite, Leslie Frank was telling stories from the front lines. An Emmy Award–winning broadcast news journalist, Leslie spent more than 25 years covering major news events across North America. From reporting live at ground zero following the September 11 attacks, to documenting the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, to anchoring top-rated newscasts in Seattle and Los Angeles, Leslie built a career defined by curiosity, integrity, and connection. In Los Angeles, she became a familiar face on the red carpet, interviewing Hollywood’s biggest stars and capturing the human stories behind the glamour.
A Family Raised on Stories
Storytelling runs deep in the Frank family—on screen and at the table. Rich’s son, Darryl Frank grew up with both worlds unfolding around him. While his father was shaping Hollywood, Darryl was absorbing the details behind the scenes, traveling through wine regions in France and California and developing an early curiosity for the stories wine could tell. Mornings often meant slipping into the cellar, studying the bottles and tasting notes from the night before—early lessons in craft, patience, and perspective.
Today, Darryl carries that legacy forward as an Emmy Award–winning producer and Co-President of Amblin Television. As an Ambassador for Frank Family Vineyards, he brings the family’s wines wherever his work takes him, sharing them with collaborators and friends around the world.
That sense of connection now spans generations. Darryl and his wife, Vanessa, are raising their children, Stella and Jeremy—namesakes of Frank Family’s S&J Vineyard—surrounded by the winery and the belief that the best stories, on screen or in the glass, are built with care and intention.
Where Hollywood Meets the Estate
Napa Valley became the meeting place for Rich and Leslie’s shared story. Shaped by years of travel and a growing appreciation for wine, Rich was drawn to a small vineyard in Rutherford, where time spent among the vines sparked a new creative chapter. That sense of possibility eventually took root as Frank Family Vineyards, founded in 1992 as an expression of craft, curiosity, and connection.
Leslie’s first visit to Napa in the 1990s carried the same quiet pull. Wine became part of a shared rhythm—one built around gathering, hospitality, and the joy of welcoming others in. Today, Napa Valley remains home, where Rich and Leslie can often be found greeting guests at the estate, continuing a tradition grounded in warmth, storytelling, and the belief that the best moments are meant to be shared.
Throughout the Calistoga estate, subtle cinematic details nod to the family’s Hollywood heritage. A red carpet welcomes guests not for premieres, but for moments of celebration and connection. Inside the Hollywood Room, vintage glamour meets Napa elegance—an homage to the golden age of film and a playful wink to legend. It’s said that Marilyn Monroe once visited the historic Hans Kornell winery to enjoy her favorite sparkling wine, a story that continues to echo through Frank Family’s sparkling legacy today.
“The best stories—on screen or in the glass—are crafted with passion, intention, and a deep respect for the people who experience them.” -Leslie Frank
Championing the Next Generation of Creators
Their commitment to storytelling extends well beyond the vineyard. As Vice Chairman and Executive Board Member of the American Film Institute, Rich has spent decades supporting the future of film and television. In 2011, he received an Honorary Doctorate from AFI alongside Helen Mirren and Spike Lee, and he is a recipient of the Television Academy’s prestigious Syd Cassyd Founders Award. Most recently, Rich announced the establishment of the Richard Frank Scholarship for the AFI, a multi-million-dollar gift that will fund twenty AFI Conservatory scholarships annually over the next decade—supporting fellows with demonstrated financial need and empowering the next generation of creative voices.
From Hollywood soundstages to Napa Valley vineyards, Rich and Leslie Frank have always believed in the power of great stories. At Frank Family Vineyards, that belief is poured into every glass—an invitation to gather, connect, and savor moments worth remembering. Whether on screen or at the table, the Franks continue to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, proving that the most enduring narratives are those crafted with heart, intention, and a sense of place.
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