Located in the historic Larkmead Winery, Frank Family Vineyards produces handcrafted wines in small quantities from grapes grown in the Carneros and Rutherford districts of Napa Valley. The winery produces Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and several distinctly different Cabernet Sauvignons.

The winery was originally built in 1884 and refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906. The massive stone edifice is considered an archetype of California’s wine country; it appears on the National Register of Historic Places, and is listed as a Point of Historic Interest by the State of California. Once owned by wine legend Hans Kornell, the winery originally secured its reputation with sparkling wines.

Five sparkling wines are handcrafted today in the old building: Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and occasionally Rouge and Reserve. All of these are made in the traditional French méthode champenoise style.

“Our goal was to give new life to this historic property while maintaining the rustic charm and rich heritage of this landmark winery,” says Rich Frank. “We sought to infuse more of the architectural aspects in the newly remodeled structures through the use of enduring materials like native stone and rustic wood,” adds Connie Frank. By repeating design elements such as color, finishes, architectural details and spatial relationships, Frank Family sought to create a balanced and integrated overall design that will give visitors a cohesive, harmonious experience.

The tasting room was fashioned from the original winery owners’ former residence, a classic Craftsman bungalow brimming with character. The original brick fireplace was lovingly restored after being found beneath layers of plaster and paint. The use of rich, warm wood and historic paint colors, taken from the era when the original home was constructed create a cozy retreat that invites guests to linger and savor the charm of a bygone era.