Elegant Detail Producing uniquely delicious wine, the Franciscan winery has refined and perfected the art of blending for over 30 years in Napa Valley.

entrepreneur daily

Elegant Detail

Franciscan
St. Helena, California

Rich, vibrant flavors with supple, silky texture aptly describe the wines of Franciscan, a winery whose roots are deeply embedded in the Napa Valley's Oakville District soil. And, according to Director of Winemaking Janet Myers, what a fine soil it is.

"Franciscan's Oakville Estate Vineyard gives us very supple, full, elegant wines with beautiful flavors and mouth-filling fine tannins," Janet says. She has spent time in Australia's Margaret River region, and at such renowned California wineries as the Robert Mondavi Winery, Beaulieu Vineyard, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Louis M. Martini. Janet contends that the 240-acre Oakville Estate Vineyard is an excellent incubator for Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil is primarily clay loam, with well-drained and lighter sections near the river and heavier soils, suited for the variety. The vineyard is also planted to Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, the varieties that compose Magnificat, Franciscan's signature Meritage blend.

At Franciscan, all grapes are harvested by hand at night, to protect the fruit and maintain vibrancy. Each vineyard block is given its own fermentation tank, a luxury usually reserved for only the most expensive wines. With no need to turn the tanks quickly for another batch, each small lot can be crafted at its own pace. Franciscan has been handling its lots this way for more than 30 years, which means the winery has an unsurpassed level of expertise in the art of blending in the Napa Valley. This exceptional attention to detail creates the rich, vibrant flavors, yet supple texture for which Franciscan wines are known.

Located on Highway 29 between the towns of St. Helena and Rutherford, Franciscan is a "must" when touring in the Napa Valley. The delightful Visitor's Center features a tasting room with a cathedral-like ceiling and four-sided walnut tasting bar. Wine tasters of all levels of interest feel instantly welcome as they are invited by their hosts to taste and learn more about how Franciscan wines are made. Daily seminars are offered by appointment, giving wine enthusiasts hands-on experiences like sensory evaluations and blending seminars, and a deeper understanding of what sets Franciscan apart.

What to Buy:
'05 StylusRipe cassis, dark plum, cocoa, tobacco, dark cherry, ainse, coffee $100
'07 Cuvée SauvageHoney, bright apple, rich pear, citrus, mineral notes, long finish $40
'05 MagnificatDark cherry, black plum, rich chocolate, black pepper, plum $50
'05 Cabernet SauvignonCassis, ripe dark cherry, blackberry, coffee, spice, toasted oak $28

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Woman Goes Viral After Recording Her Disastrous Call With HR After Being Let Go: 'They Tried to Gaslight You'

Brittany Pietsch posted a nine-minute-long clip of her firing from Cloudflare on TikTok, and it went viral. The company's CEO responded on X — and also went viral.

Business Solutions

Upgrade Your Work Laptop or Computer's OS With Windows 11 Pro, Now for Less Than $25

Outfit your office's computers and laptops with Microsoft's latest OS: Windows 11 Pro.

Thought Leaders

How This Family-Run Company Has Thrived for Five Generations

Marty Ozinga, the CEO of Ozinga, explains the legacy and future of the powerhouse construction materials company.

Starting a Business

They Grew Up in a Financially-Challenged Single-Parent Home and Now These Twins Run a Multimillion-Dollar Real Estate Business. Here's How They Turned Hardship Into Inspiration.

How Jeremy and Joshua Mathis overcame adversity and turned their challenging upbringing into a foundation for real estate success.

Marketing

4 Ways AI Is Revolutionizing Targeted Advertising — And How to Balance It's Ethical Implications

AI-powered targeted advertising revolutionizes marketing with hyper-personalized promotions. However, ethical and transparency questions hover over this progress.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.