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A new wine organization aiming to make a world-renowned identity for the Livermore Valley with Cabernet Franc is scheduled to kick off its efforts with an inaugural celebration of the varietal this month.
Hosted by the Cab Franc Guild, FrancFest is a self-guided tour involving nearly a dozen Livermore Valley wineries where guests can try out Cab Franc alongside wood-fired pizza, live music, food trucks and live entertainment.
The wine trail comes as the Livermore Valley’s second recent celebration of Cab Franc, following last month’s CabFranc-A-Palooza that promoted the same signature varietal of the area.
Wineries participating in the FrancFest tour include Cuda Ridge Wines, Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Fenestra Winery, Las Positas Vineyards, McGrail Vineyards and Winery, Mitchell Katz Winery, Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, Wood Family Vineyards, Occasio Winery, Rosa Fierro Cellars and the Steven Kent Winery.
“The creation of the Cab Franc Guild is about more than just promoting a varietal — it’s about collaboration, innovation and sharing the distinct charm of Livermore Valley with the world,” said Heather McGrail, founding member of the Cab Franc Guild and President of McGrail Vineyards and Winery. “Cabernet Franc offers us a unique canvas to showcase our terroir and we’re excited to invite wine lovers on this journey with us.”
At the forthcoming FrancFest, guests can connect with winemakers and explore the variety of Cab Francs produced in the Livermore Valley.
Among the festivities is Cuda Ridge Wines’ pizza and wine pairing event featuring its 2022 and 2023 Cabernet Franc as well as its 2022 Mélange d’Amis, recognized as best of class at Livermore Valley’s Uncorked Wine Competition.
The lineup of events also includes olive oil tastings at Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, a Cab Franc aroma bar with live music at McGrail Vineyards and Winery as well as a patio party with food trucks and live entertainment co-hosted by Vasco Row wineries Rosa Fierro Cellars, the Steven Kent Winery and Occasio Winery.
Uniting participating wineries and additional members of the Cab Franc Guild is their goal to elevate Cabernet Franc to the forefront of Livermore Valley’s wine identity.
Announcing its official formation June 26, the guild is composed of 15 winemakers, grape growers and hospitality professionals, according to a statement by Longevity Wines. The group intends to focus on Cab Franc production as well as consumer engagement through events that celebrate the varietal and display its potential.
“Establishing the Cab Franc Guild is a pivotal step forward for the Livermore Valley in making Cabernet Franc a marquee grape for our region,” said Steven Mirassou, founding member of the Cab Franc Guild and owner of the Steven Kent Winery. “With Cabernet Franc as our stake in the ground, we are thrilled to unite as a community to amplify this varietal’s elegance, complexity and versatility.”
To close out the weekend on Sunday (July 13), Mirassou is set to host an educational seminar about Cab Franc at the Steven Kent Winery. At the event, Mirassou will guide guests through barrel samples of 2023 and 2024 Cab Francs, sourced from vineyards throughout the Livermore Valley. The evening event is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m.
FrancFest is scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday (July 12-13) at multiple sites from noon to 4 p.m. on both days. Tickets to each event are sold separately. For more information, visit the Cab Franc Guild website at cabfrancguild.com.
