I’ve met the owner John Williams in countless educational wine symposiums and other events as well.

Now you probably know Frog’s Leap winery because of their excellent wines, and also because of the iconic label.

Frogs’ Leap winery reviews are pretty good too!

Why?

Aside from the wine, Frog’s Leap has a gorgeous hospitality center.

Frog’s Leap also has an enormous, lovely garden filled with flowers, fruit, and organic vegetables bursting with color.

Frog’s Leap Red Barn With Mustard

Planning Your Visit to Frog’s Leap Winery

This article will explain how to best plan your visit to Frog’s Leap Winery so you will have the best experience.

But first, I want to tell you a funny story about how at the last minute I made Frog’s Leap part of my recent Napa Valley visit.

So a few weeks before my trip, I was in my exercise studio chatting with a classmate named Mary.

Mary was not in the wine business.

But I knew from previous conversations she loved traveling, going to great restaurants, and drinking fine wine.

And because almost everyone I know is in the wine business, I thought she might have a fresh perspective on great wineries to visit.

“Frog’s Leap was my favorite!” she said.

Then she explained she had just visited the Napa Valley.

“They farm organically and the grounds were so beautiful! The tour was absolutely fantastic!”

So that was all it took to put a visit to the winery on my list!

I should explain that I have been to Frog’s Leap many times in the past.

But that was the distant past.

I had not realized that so much has changed, and that the hospitality center is one of the best in the valley.

Making the Frog’s Leap Reservation

For the last several years, it has become a necessity to make a reservation at virtually all the wineries in the Napa Valley.

It’s a good idea for several reasons.

The primary reason is so you, the guest, are assured of having a smooth visit with no waiting involved.

And also so that there will be enough tour guides on hand to give their full attention to the visitors.

Yes, there is a charge (at the time of this writing, the tours and tastings range from $25 – $35 dollars).

Also – at of this writing, check out the FAQ pages on the Frog’s Leap winery web site.

It says there may be some discounts on the tours and tastings if you buy Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon or other wine.

But be sure to verify this at the time of making your reservation, because things change quick at the Napa Valley!

I’ll have more information at the end of this article, but if you have your cell phone handy and want to make a reservation this minute, dial 800-959-4704.

Origins of Frog’s Leap Winery

John Williams was an undergraduate at Cornell when he came to the Napa Valley In the early 1970s to work in the vineyards.

He met winemaker Helen Turley, and Helen told him that maybe her brother Larry could help him find a winemaking job.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Long story made short, supposedly, (a penniless) John Williams camped out on Larry’s front yard” display_tweet=””].

In a typical Hollywood “cute meet” fashion, Larry discovered the (stranger John) on his yard, confronted him.

Then they both raised a glass of wine and became fast friends.

Next Chapter of Frog’s Leap Origins 

So the story goes that Larry Turley found him a job at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

At the time Stag’s Leap was a relatively little known one-man shop, owned by Warren Warniaski.

Famous Andre Tchelistcheff also worked there as a consultant.

The first wine John worked with was the 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine would ultimately win the Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976.

Of course, that was the famous tasting that launched California Napa Valley fame in the world market.

Birth of Frog’s Leap Winery

John and Larry Turley made their own wine together. Larry offered to let John use a barn on an old frog farm.

Note: Frogs were an important commodity for fancy San Francisco restaurants.

To make the dream a reality, John and Larry had to pawn their motorcycles to get the $10,000 to buy the grapes and produce the wine.

Their first wine they made was a Sauvignon Blanc.

The next step was to create a brand, make a label, and bottle it.

Though a high-priced San Francisco label designer was going to charge them 10,000 to design the label, a “friend of a friend” referred them to Chuck House, who agreed to $100 dollars and a few cases of wine.

This “simple” label helped make Frog’s leap an immediate hit.

That same year, Chuck House’s label was awarded the Design of Excellence Award from the American Institute of Graphic Designers.

The label was further honored with its inclusion in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute.

Chuck’s Icon Design Group is now one of the most sought-after design studios in the industry.

Frog’s Leap Winery: Flash Forward to Present Day

John Williams is today the sole owner of Frog’s Leap Winery.

It is in Rutherford.

This is one of the most premium areas in the Napa Valley for long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

But when John first bought the property and its vineyards, the soil was run down and stressed because of the former owner’s use of chemicals.

With the help of agriculturist “Amigo Bob Cantisano,”

John could revive the soil health of the vineyard.

Frog’s Leap Dry Farming

John was one of the first to bring back the concept of “dry farming” (not irrigating the vines).

This lack of water causes the roots to dig deeper into the soil for moisture, resulting in more concentrated fruit.

Organic Grapes

For 25 years, the vineyards have been organic.

Frog’s Leap is not an organic winery, but a winery that makes wine from certified organically grown grapes since 1989.

The Frog’s Leap Hospitality Center

You might have read about the exotic hospitality centers of Napa Valley wineries.

Some look like Italian castles.

Others like Persian palaces.

Many look very sleek, reflecting an aura of high-end modern luxury.

In contrast, the hospitality center of Frogs’ Leap looks like you are visiting your great-great grandmother’s cottage in the middle of the countryside.

On a hot summer day, it so pleasurable to step inside the cool shade of the hospitality center.

Then, a friendly and very knowledgeable guide will serve you wine and take you on a tour of the property.

The Frog’s Leap Wine Club

One thing I like best about Frogs Leap Winery is their branding.

It goes right from the label design of the Frog to the way they call their wine club members “Frog Fellows.”

And of course, there are many “ribbets”

The Guided Tours and Tastings (Reservations Required)

Check the Frog’s Leap website here yet at the time of this writing you will find three options for tastings.

Two options are $35, and one is $25.

Guided Tour and Tasting

Of the three tours and tasting, I highly recommend the “Guided tour and Tasting” because you do not just “taste the wine.”

Instead, you can get an “up close” view of the winery and the philosophy of owner, John Williams.

On the current tour, guests could taste the wine as they are led through the vineyards to see how the land is farmed.

I really liked this wine experience, because it was fun to be in the vineyard on a sunny day before harvest.

…. And of course I was SO TEMPTED to take a taste of a grape on the trellis.

On some tours they give guests’ glasses of wine during the walk.

This way, they can mentally make the connection between the grapes and the wine in the glass.

Be sure to bring your camera for this, as the vineyards are an excellent backdrop for selfies

Signature Seated Tasting

During my visit, I saw a smattering of people sitting outdoors in the sun at a table with a shady sun umbrella.

On cool days, they heat the patio.

They were sipping wine, and some had plates of cheese.

I found this is the “signature seated tasting.”

At the time of this writing, this is where you can taste through a flight of four current releases from the comfort of a private table on the back porch of The Vineyard House.

Wine specialists are on hand to guide you through the wines and share information on the winemaking practices.

This option is also $35, yet that it is more fun.

Garden / Cellar Tasting

This third option enables you to stroll around the (beautiful!) garden and also take in the ambiance of the Barrel Cellar.

It is a more casual tasting option featuring four current releases and depending on the weather, is hosted in either the Garden or Barrel Cellars.

The price is $25 a person.

The Frog’s Leap Experience

I was so happy that my food and wine loving classmate told me about her positive experience visiting this winery.

And so happy I came as a result.

The wines are delicious.

In the Napa Valley, most wines are.

But it was the EXPERIENCE of the visit that is now making me gush as I remember how fabulous it was.

The vibrant gardens are simply amazing.

You will find flowers, but you will also find delectable looking organic vegetables (tomatoes, herbs, squash) you wish you were allowed to pluck!

And berries!

Until that visit, I had actually not seen a berry outside of a supermarket!

Flowers in every color of the rainbow!

Stories of Frog’s Leap

And then there are the stories …

• • Stories of the red barn, and how it was ever so carefully dismantled and rebuilt so it would be safe.
  • Stories of the Frog’s Leap team members who are so passionate about their jobs.
  • Stories that explain why taking care of the soil is such an important component in achieving a good wine.

My tour guide was fantastic.

Her name was Rebeca Ramirez and like most of the guides she has a genuine passion for Frog’s Leap.

Essential Items to Bring for Frog’s Leap

1. • A hat, especially for sunny days.
   • Sunglasses for the same reason.
   • Sunscreen very necessary in summer.
   • A charger for your device so not to miss once-in-a-lifetime pictures.
   • Your favorite bottled water (usually water is provided)
   • A cup for expectorating wine in case it is not provided (usually a bucket is provided, I like a cup)
   • A small notebook to record details about the wine or vineyards
   • Comfortable walking shoes for vineyard visits

Here is a short (under 3 minute) overview of the Napa Valley Appellation

About the Rutherford AVA

Frog’s Leap is located in the Rutherford AVA.

During a fantastic barrel blending session and through my scholastic pursuits, I learned about the tapestry of soils in the Napa Valley appellation.

The soil is different in each appellation (that is why it is an appellation).

In Rutherford, the soil is a composition of gravel, loam and sand with volcanic deposits and marine sediments. For this reason, it is GREAT for Cabernet Sauvignon.

So that is one reason Frog’s Leap is so famous for its long lived red wine.

Checking out the Wine Club

A few friends of mine wrote a thesis for the Masters of Wine about wine clubs.

I’ve belonged to a few, and they can be great ways to get special releases from your favorite wineries.

But from my research, the most important part of being part of a wine club is that you become “part of the family.

A lot of wine clubs have private events for members, discounts on both wine and tours for members, etc.

And at Frog’s Leap, the club is called The Fellowship And there are a lot of exciting events.

Frog’s Leap Driving Information

The winery is  between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail at 8815 Conn Creek Road. Look for the Red Barn with the frog weather vane.

Phone 800-959-4704

Drop me a line about your visit!