Tom the Somm Spotlights Frog’s Leap Winery

Frog’s Leap Winery, nestled in Rutherford on Napa Valley’s historic benchlands, has been a beacon of thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking since 1981. Founded by John Williams and now guided by his son Rory, the estate champions certified-organic, dry-farmed vineyards and minimal intervention.

Three standout bottlings—Cabernet Sauvignon, Concrete Sauvignon Blanc, and Shale and Stone Chardonnay—perfectly capture the winery’s philosophy of honesty, restraint, and place.

The Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Rutherford expression. Sourced exclusively from gravelly benchland soils, it delivers the signature “Rutherford Dust”—that unmistakable earthy, cocoa-powdered savoriness layered with black cherry, cassis, and plum. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic lift and dimension. Structured yet elegant, with balanced tannins and bright acidity, it ages gracefully for decades.
Frog's Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon – Rutherford, Napa Valley

The Concrete Sauvignon Blanc takes a different path. Hand-selected from the estate’s finest Rutherford blocks, it is fermented and aged entirely in concrete eggs. The neutral vessel preserves freshness while extended lees contact builds silky texture and umami depth. Expect bright stone fruit, lemon curd, orange blossom, and a flinty, smoky edge—vibrant, complex, and utterly refreshing.

Shale and Stone Chardonnay comes from steep, decomposed shale-and-sandstone slopes in the cool Carneros district. Brief early barrel contact followed by months on lees in tank yields ripe apple, quince, and white peach aromas with lemon pith, wet stone, and delicate flowers. Bright acidity and a mineral core give it tension and longevity.

Chardonnay 'Shale and Stone' – Produced and Bottled by Frog's Leap – Rutherford Napa Valley California
Together, these wines embody Frog’s Leap: farming first, flavor second, and a quiet confidence that lets the land speak. Whether cellaring the Cabernet or pouring the whites at dinner, each bottle invites discovery.