Franciscan
Franciscan Estate was established in 1973 and began producing wines of true character from our Oakville estate in 1975. Only grapes of the highest quality are deemed worthy to wear the Franciscan Estate crest. We strive to create wines of the highest character and excellence in every vintage. This is what devotion to wines of true character is all about. It is in every bottle and embodied in our crest that has been a sign of excellence on our wines for over 40 years.
Our home estate is located in Oakville, right in the heart of the Napa Valley. Our 240-acre parcel of prized land features loamy, gravely, well-draining soil which adds great structure to our wines. Our location in the center of the Napa Valley allows our Bordeaux varietals to enjoy the cooling marine influences while still receiving plenty of sun and heat. When you combine our location with dry-farming techniques, the vines produce smaller, concentrated fruit, which builds wine of good structure, body, and texture. This optimal blend gives our fruit the ability to maintain its vibrancy and ripen to its full potential.
With this unique balance of terroir and climate we knew Oakville was the ideal place to start our legacy; this was confirmed in 1975 when the very first vintage of our Napa Valley Cabernet was released. The results spoke for themselves – this was a distinctive wine of character and place. It was the first vintage to be released that included fruit from the Oakville estate. This was prior to our esteemed neighbors Opus One, Swanson, Silver Oak, and Groth. Oakville had officially landed on the map as a powerhouse district for Napa Valley Reds and Franciscan Estate had helped blaze the trail to make it happen.
High-Craft, high-touch meticulous winemaking is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to exploring, developing, and mastering artisanal techniques to create the perfect glass of wine in every vintage. This constant drive for perfection defines all that we do.
Founding winemaker Justin Meyer wanted to understand the nuance of vineyard sites and how wine matured over time. He diligently laid out our estate vineyard into small blocks to capture the unique microclimates and soil changes. Each block was separately fermented and cellared. The wine was only blended once it had properly evolved. This small lot approach resulted in wines of unmistakable character that highlighted the nuances of every vineyard block and vintage.
This intensely personal approach to winemaking has permeated our culture. It's an ongoing pursuit toward perfection that always has our master winemakers close to the fruit, re-examining techniques, exploring new methods, and finding better ways to bring out the ultimate expression of the vineyard. Each winemaker confidently builds on the foundations of those who came before, adding their own unique flavor to the Franciscan legacy. This spirit has inspired all that we produce, from introducing wild yeast fermentation to being a pioneer in the Napa Valley for Bordeaux style blends; our unwavering devotion to the craft and dedication to the details has driven all that we have done and continue to do.
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
$15.95 $19.20
4d
California » Monterey County
"A full-bodied, dry, powerful and intense Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry, cassis and dark cherry combined with mocha and sweet hints of toasty vanilla."~winery notes
Franciscan Chardonnay 2018
$11.95 $14.40
10cCalifornia
Brimming with warm toasted oak, pear compote and vanilla sugar. Subtle notes of pineapple and lemon zest. Vibrant caramel apple, followed by ripe pear and
Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2017
$11.95
“Bold and bright with notes of grapefruit, lime zest, and guava. Bright acidity with flavors of lime and pear with subtle minerality. A round palate
Franciscan Chardonnay 2017
“Rich, ripe apple and pineapple, lemon zest, and honeysuckle meld with toasted marshmallow and caramel notes. Full-bodied with poached pear, crème brûlée, minerality, and marzipan
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
"A full-bodied, dry, powerful and intense Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry, cassis and dark cherry combined with mocha and sweet hints of toasty vanilla."~winery notes
Franciscan Chardonnay 2016
“Rich, ripe apple and pineapple, lemon zest, and honeysuckle meld with toasted marshmallow and caramel notes. Full-bodied with poached pear, crème brûlée, minerality, and marzipan
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
“Vivid garnet in color with perfumed and inviting aromas of rich dark cherry, plum,chocolate, and layered undertones of vanilla, clove, black pepper, and sage. A
Franciscan Estate 'Equilibrium' White Blend 2015
The Tasting Pannel 94 “A sumptuous blend of Chardonnay, Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc, with a nose that is akin to an expensive perfume: green grass, mint
Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Wine Enthusiast 90 “Light and bright, this wine is grassy, with intermingling layers of kumquat, lime zest and a restrained touch of oak, fully realized in
Franciscan 'Estate' Chardonnay 2015
Wine Enthusiast 88 “Oaky butterscotch and baked pear notes give this lushly composed white equal parts heat and body. The apple flavor seems baked and warming
Franciscan 'Magnificat' Red Blend 2014
Tasting Panel 96 "The royal carmine hue makes this wine look all the more stately. First introduced in 1985, this Meritage blend continues to cast a
Franciscan 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 6.0L
87xCalifornia » Napa Valley
Wine Review Online 90 "Winemaker Janet Myers is renowned for her bold Cabernet Sauvignons and the 2014 from Franciscan is no exception, delivering richness and weight,
Franciscan 'Estate' Merlot 2014
Wine Enthusiast 88 “This is a well-made approachable wine, aromatic in black cherry, cola and plum. Thick ripe flavors are highlighted in brick, black pepper and
Franciscan 'Cuvee Sauvage' Chardonnay 2014
10eCalifornia » Carneros
Wine Enthusiast 91 Beautifully oaked, this youthful, robustly expressive wine is lemony and salty, offering a high-toned minerality that plays out as stony texture. Pear and
Franciscan 'Estate' Chardonnay 2014
The Tasting Panel 93 "The palate feel is graceful, harmonious while the wine's richness is an element of the overall harmony of fruit, acid and minerals..." Winereviewonline.com
Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Winereviewonline.com 90 " it has fresh lime and pink grapefruity flavors, and wonderfully refreshing acidity that invigorates the taste buds." ~MT
Franciscan 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Wine Review Online 90 "Winemaker Janet Myers is renowned for her bold Cabernet Sauvignons and the 2014 from Franciscan is no exception, delivering richness and weight,
Franciscan 'Magnificat' Red Blend 2013
James Suckling 92 "A bright and balanced red with currant, plum, chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh
Franciscan 'Cuvee Sauvage' Chardonnay 2013
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2013 Chardonnay Cuvée Sauvage is a beauty from Franciscan Estate. No doubt, based on the name, it was wild yeast fermented with
Franciscan Chardonnay 2013
" With Chardonnay, Franciscan Estate looks for the sort of richness and opulence that malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging in oak barrels bring. They
Franciscan Estate 'Equilibrium' White Blend 2013
" Our Equilibrium white blend is a rich, fun, and unique wine that’s easy to enjoy. The name Equilibrium means “to come together in a
Franciscan 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 6.0L
"Deep garnet with a lovely plum nose and rich fruit with layers of complexity. Hints of licorice, vanilla, blackberry, tobacco, and leather envelop the fruit.
Franciscan 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
James Suckling 90 "Shows pretty Napa fruit of currants and plums with hints of citrus. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink
Franciscan 'Estate' Merlot 2013
"Deep scarlet with a lovely plum nose, rich fruit, violets, and dark chocolate. Hints of licorice, vanilla, blackberry, and tobacco envelop the fruit. Smooth and
Franciscan 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
"Smooth entry, with lively ripe, fresh berries followed by vanilla and cocoa flavors that fill the palate. Smooth and textural, with generous body and supple