The Secret on Larkmead Lane

I want to tell you about a winery that is not to be missed on your Napa explorations: Fabulous Frank Family Winery. Actually, I added the Fabulous. Go there and you’ll see what I mean. You’ve probably never heard of Frank, and that’s because they sell much of what they produce right at the winery. Wow, does Frank have some terrific wines! And you can almost walk there from Calistoga Ranch. That was my plan on Easter weekend when Michael’s and my parents were out, though I’m glad we ended up renting bikes with baskets for bringing home the bubbly, as it would have been quite the hike otherwise.

I’m letting out a little secret here: Frank is one of the few Napa wineries that don’t charge for tasting. And, I think the only producer of sparkling wines that doesn’t. They offer four sparklers. Delightfully unusual is the garnet-hued Rouge. Last year, I found a recipe in Sunset magazine pairing it with grilled burgers. Now that’s my kind of summer dinner! I seriously doubt they could make a wine I wouldn’t like. Their chardonnay is simply lovely, oaked but not intensely so. Their zinfandel is so popular (and its higher alcohol level packs such a punch) that there’s a little acronym they’ve come up with to describe its effect. THAT, you will not hear from me, but the slightly randy and highly knowledgeable gentlemen behind the counter will be only too happy to tell you and watch your face turn crimson. These guys are real characters. Though I’d like to see them in Red House polos, it’s hard to imagine them wearing anything other than Hawaiian shirts. Do not for a minute think their casual demeanor means they are not serious about wine. They know what they pour. And wait until you try the exquisitely complex Winston Hill cabernet!

The co-owner, Rick Frank, had a quite a storied career as a TV and film exec with Disney so you’ll see some memorabilia on the walls of the tasting room, which they could just have just papered with all their wine awards. Frank’s passion for Napa led him to his additional career. Would I ever do the same? While it sounds romantic, one of the first things I heard when I moved here was that buying a winery is the quickest way to turn a large fortune into a small one (!) So no, I’ll stick to outfitting the wine country lifestyle (And anyway, Napa has no shortage of wineries. Check this one out: www.frankfamilyvineyards.com.)

While we were at the winery, I overheard a heated argument between between two business associates. I had to wonder what was so important that they’d mar a beautiful day of wine tasting with such negativity. Well, it ‘s a small tasting room so I found out. One had lost an account and the other had lost his cool trying to get it back. Ah yes, the backbiting, the fear, and the confidence-crushing intensity I remember from my New York life in design. The tone (and the accent!) almost shattered my idyll and yet hey, I’m out of there – the city and the state of mind! They’re on vacation and yet are missing out because they’ve brought their problems to Napa. I don’t mean to sound smug, but I’m grateful. I get to live in this lovely place, got to enjoy our family for Easter, and I constantly reflect on my happy turn of events since Michael and I started Red House. Thanks to SanMar, our customers (and of course Michael!) for taking a chance on something new. We won’t disappoint!