Expert winemakers know that the vineyard—cultivating the earth—is where winemaking truly begins. And our winemaker, Frantz Ventre, knows that as well as anyone in Madison County.

Frantz became well versed in this philosophy as a young man, working in a family vineyard in the world–renowned Bordeaux wine region near St. Emilion, France. From there, Frantz embarked on his life’s work. After receiving his Masters Degree in Oenology from the University of Bordeaux, he set off for a life–changing internship at a Virginia winery in 1996.

Frantz’s approach is based in the well–proven old–world style, which relies on focusing great attention in the vineyard, and then nurturing the fruit in the cellar, “Don’t try to interfere too much, and you will produce good wine.”