8815 Conn Creek Road Rutherford, CA 94558
Tour: yes
Picnic Area: no
Hours: Daily Mon - Sat 10am to 4pm
Description
Visit a few wineries and it becomes easy to pick out the ones that have clear and consistent values. Frog's Leap is an organic winery that makes great wine with a focus on sustainability, biodynamics and a healthy winery and vineyard family. Toss in large doses of humor and "voila" you've got Frog's Leap.
Frog's Leap is located on Conn Creek road in the Rutherford district. The historic Red Barn was build in 1884 and sits on 130 valley floor acres. Owner/winemaker John Williams and winemaker Paula Moschetti produce 60,00 cases of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rutherford. Frog's Leap accomplishes this while keeping a sharp eye on the health of the planet through the production of solar and geothermal power.
The Vineyard House, built in 2005, is insulated with old blue jeans and aspired to the goals of the U.S. Green Building Council. Health of the vineyard is achieved through organic farming and the use of biodynamic methods. Borders of specially selected plants attract butterflies and beneficial insects. Health of the winery and vineyard staff, numbering 45, is achieved by having only full time employees with full benefits.
Grounds
The grounds at Frog's Leap are flat and spacious. This is a child friendly winery complete with coloring books and juice boxes for the kids enhanced by 5 acres of fruit and vegetable gardens, chickens, bees, and, soon, a resident cow! There is also a large gold fish pond and room to run around. The large covered porch of the Vineyard House, complete with rocking chairs, is a great place to relax and soak up the ambiance. Inside, Terra Cotta, the sole resident and chief feline of the house, was sleeping peacefully on a chair.
Tour
Frog's Leap does not have a public tasting room, instead Frog's Leap focuses on an appointment only tour. We were greeted warmly and even though there was some confusion about our reservation, it was no problem. There were only 4 for the tour on a quiet mid week morning. Before setting off on our tour we were invited to take a straw hat from the table. Our guide called them "vineyard chic." Though the Vineyard House would have been a lovely place to conduct the tasting, the weather was excellent so we had a progressive tasting. Our first taste was poured at the table inside but enjoyed while ambling through the vegetable gardens. We were introduced to the king of the coop (pictured right) who produces eggs for the employees.
The second taste was poured at the fish pond were a detailed history of the owners introduction to the Napa Valley and the founding of Frog's Leap was given.
Moving into the historic Red Barn, we got to see the barrel room and fermentation tanks. The third tasting, we were seated at a large family style table where we were give the history of the Barn and the history of the labeling. We had our fourth taste back in the reception area of the Vineyard house.
All the while our host, a great storyteller with a relaxed and casual style, filled us in on Frog's Leap history and the robust sense of humor of owner John Williams.
There are no public events at Frog's Leap. There is a big harvest party for all the workers and a pumpkin carving contest for their children at Halloween. Again, the focus is on the winery family.
Our Rating
