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Open 10:00 to 5:00
Appt required? No (only groups of 8 or more)
Last barlinwine.com visit: 2009
Directions:
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Tasting:
"Tasting is always free at Frank, and you get A LOT". That's how this entry used to start. In recent years, however, the commercial bug has bitten Frank Family, and the experience is a shadow of its former self. Starting in 2008 they opened up a new tasting room that now provides far more space and doesn't promote a constant wariness in visitors that the roof may collapse any minute (like the old structure!). After allowing for even more traffic, they also saw a reasonable revenue opportunity and have started charging for tastings as well.
Despite the new tasting room, the structure of the tasting still remains somewhat consistent with their tried and true formula from the old building. They start you with a taste of of three champagnes that they still make on the premises (and yes, it is called champagne at Frank Family, not sparkling wine -- they never signed the petition). You move on to the back room, where you'll get to sample their Chardonnay (or, “liquid crème brulee” as they like to call it). They serve this white wine at room temperature so as not to mask its elegant flavors and silky butteriness. From there, you'll typically get to sample 3-4 red wines, including their Zinfandel, Cabernet, and sometimes (if you're lucky) a Reserve Pinot Noir or a Reserve Cabernet.
Frank Family continues to produce some quality wine, but I miss what they used to be. A giant banner now hangs outside of the winery declaring it the "#1 Rated Winery in Napa", tour buses constantly frequent the winery, and I feel like what once was my hidden gem has sold out to The Man! But hey, it's a business, and if I was in their shoes I would try to sell as much wine as I could as well. The downside is that the standard tasting experience has suffered as a result of the commercialism. The individual attention and conversations you could have in the past more often get lost among the throngs of people that they can now accommodate, and, more importantly, the types of people they now encourage (bachelorette parties, tour buses, and people looking first to drink and second to taste). My hope is that they're keeping production levels close to constant and, most importantly, keeping quality where it has always been, but there aren't many mass producers of high-end wine.
There is, of course, always the opportunity to still have a private tasting with Dennis. Dennis Zablosky runs private tastings for Frank Family and has since the early days of the winery. Dennis loves his wine, and knows ten times more about wine, food and Napa Valley than I ever will. He'll pour you anything they produce if he identifies you as a serious buyer, and he's a great reference for places to eat and other wineries to try. He does have a weakness, however: pretty girls are Dennis's kryptonite. Bring a pretty 20-something into Dennis's office, and suddenly he's twice as friendly, the size of his pours doubles, your experience is improved and Dennis's day is made. He's responsible for my first trip to Elyse and, more importantly (since I never would have stumbled on it otherwise), Bremer. If you're serious about wine (and buying a case or more), talk to the winery about a private tasting with Dennis.
Recommended wine: Everything is good, but the Chardonnay is very unique and one of my favorites for the price ($32.50/bottle; it compares favorably to Miner's Wild Yeast Chardonnay which retails for $50/bottle), and the regular Cab and Zinfandel are solid. As the winery has become more commercial, the reserve wines (Reserve Cab, Reserve Zin, Reserve Pinot) are the direction I would encourage you to go.
View Napa in a larger map or Get Directions
Tasting:
"Tasting is always free at Frank, and you get A LOT". That's how this entry used to start. In recent years, however, the commercial bug has bitten Frank Family, and the experience is a shadow of its former self. Starting in 2008 they opened up a new tasting room that now provides far more space and doesn't promote a constant wariness in visitors that the roof may collapse any minute (like the old structure!). After allowing for even more traffic, they also saw a reasonable revenue opportunity and have started charging for tastings as well.
Despite the new tasting room, the structure of the tasting still remains somewhat consistent with their tried and true formula from the old building. They start you with a taste of of three champagnes that they still make on the premises (and yes, it is called champagne at Frank Family, not sparkling wine -- they never signed the petition). You move on to the back room, where you'll get to sample their Chardonnay (or, “liquid crème brulee” as they like to call it). They serve this white wine at room temperature so as not to mask its elegant flavors and silky butteriness. From there, you'll typically get to sample 3-4 red wines, including their Zinfandel, Cabernet, and sometimes (if you're lucky) a Reserve Pinot Noir or a Reserve Cabernet.
Frank Family continues to produce some quality wine, but I miss what they used to be. A giant banner now hangs outside of the winery declaring it the "#1 Rated Winery in Napa", tour buses constantly frequent the winery, and I feel like what once was my hidden gem has sold out to The Man! But hey, it's a business, and if I was in their shoes I would try to sell as much wine as I could as well. The downside is that the standard tasting experience has suffered as a result of the commercialism. The individual attention and conversations you could have in the past more often get lost among the throngs of people that they can now accommodate, and, more importantly, the types of people they now encourage (bachelorette parties, tour buses, and people looking first to drink and second to taste). My hope is that they're keeping production levels close to constant and, most importantly, keeping quality where it has always been, but there aren't many mass producers of high-end wine.
There is, of course, always the opportunity to still have a private tasting with Dennis. Dennis Zablosky runs private tastings for Frank Family and has since the early days of the winery. Dennis loves his wine, and knows ten times more about wine, food and Napa Valley than I ever will. He'll pour you anything they produce if he identifies you as a serious buyer, and he's a great reference for places to eat and other wineries to try. He does have a weakness, however: pretty girls are Dennis's kryptonite. Bring a pretty 20-something into Dennis's office, and suddenly he's twice as friendly, the size of his pours doubles, your experience is improved and Dennis's day is made. He's responsible for my first trip to Elyse and, more importantly (since I never would have stumbled on it otherwise), Bremer. If you're serious about wine (and buying a case or more), talk to the winery about a private tasting with Dennis.
Recommended wine: Everything is good, but the Chardonnay is very unique and one of my favorites for the price ($32.50/bottle; it compares favorably to Miner's Wild Yeast Chardonnay which retails for $50/bottle), and the regular Cab and Zinfandel are solid. As the winery has become more commercial, the reserve wines (Reserve Cab, Reserve Zin, Reserve Pinot) are the direction I would encourage you to go.
Ratings (out of 5):
 WINE | 4.50 |  TASTING ROOM | 4.75 |
 ATMOSPHERE | 4.50 |  VALUE | 4.50 |
 OVERALL | 4.56 | ||
Great review and can't agree more. It's a really nice tasting experience.
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